At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die. The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man…

Usually, the parables of Jesus are about the kingdom of heaven. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning…” “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…” Not so this morning. The parable of the wicked steward…

“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” ( Jn 12:24–25 ). These words of Jesus stand in stark contrast to the values of…

At funerals it is common for the gathered family and friends to do their best to avoid speaking the truth about what we all know has happened. And what is that? Why are we here today? What singular event has brought us all together? I know the answer. You know the answer. But, according to the unspoken…

All men must die. Such is the fate that hangs over our fallen race. There is no question about whether this is true. The Word of God is clear: “The soul that sins, it shall die.” ( Ezek 18:4 ) Jimmy was a sinner, and now he has died. You are a sinner, and one day you too will die. If these words seem…

This morning our Lord Jesus instructs us in how to live as Christians in this fallen world. He tells us what we are not to do, and what we are to do. “Do not judge. Do not condemn. But rather, forgive and be merciful, just as your Father in heaven also is merciful.” ( Luke 6:36–37 ) On the one hand,…

The two greatest apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, have been commemorated together on June 29 for nearly eighteen centuries, almost since the time of Christ. Our congregation, like many others, is named after St. Paul, while countless other congregations are named for St. Peter, or perhaps, St. Peter…

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus…

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Neither the disciples nor the women were having a good Easter. Jesus had risen. His grave was empty. Sin, death, and hell were conquered. The head of the ancient serpent had been crushed. Jesus had redeemed humanity, and now every believer would…

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be upon us and upon our children” (…