September 14, 2025

Today's Reading: John 12:20-33

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 33:1-25; Jonah 1:1-4:11; Colossians 1:24-2:7

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. ‘Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” (John 12:25-33)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Jesus knew what had to happen. He knew the death that was quickly approaching him. His heart weighed heavily within Him because He knew what pain awaited Him on the cross. But He went. He went out of obedience to the Father, knowing that it was needful to glorify God and to save humanity. The creator of the universe allowed Himself to be humiliated, tortured, and hung upon a cross all out of His love and mercy for His creation. And in that creation, His crucifixion on that very cross is the central and most significant event in its history. Our lives are fundamentally tied to the saving work done on the cross through which Christ has made us His own children and redeemed us, rescuing us from the threat of death and eternal damnation. In our church and many other church bodies, we celebrate Holy Cross Day in remembrance of the victory of this all-encompassing event. Christ’s death on the cross is central to our whole lives, defining our identities and shaping our eternal realities. Thanks be to God that Christ Jesus came as a humble servant to set us free once and for all. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Merciful God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, was lifted high upon the cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Rev. Benjamin Heinz, pastor of Athens Lutheran Church in Athens, TN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Join author R. Reed Lessing helps with this chapter-by-chapter exploration of the Book of Numbers in Hope in the Wilderness. With helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible, you’ll be able to understand the beauty of Numbers.