A demon-possessed man is asked what his name is, and he responds with "Legion" for many demons had entered him. What is your name and what does it mean? Ultimately, Jesus frees the man of the demons who have possessed him. Jesus' name means "the Lord saves" or "God is salvation" because He came to save His people from their sins. Jesus came to save you. This is what He wants to do with you. Rescue you from sin, death, and the devil, and that is what He did in His death and resurrection.

We fuss getting ready for church. And right in the middle of the service, we get distracted. Thankfully, in the center of worship is our Triune God. Through Jesus, we are fully embraced and welcome.

We often celebrate Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday. In both of these events, the Holy Spirit is actively at work in the lives of God's people. The Holy Spirit who came that first Pentecost is with us in Baptism, in Confirmation, in the Lord's Supper, and in all parts of life. The Holy Spirit who creates faith in us sustains that faith, helps us lead a God-pleasing life, and tells others the Good News of Jesus, just like the disciples on the first Pentecost.

In Acts 1 the disciples need to replace Judas. They pray to God that He would show them who He had chosen to replace Judas. They cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. We had never heard of Matthias before and may have never heard of him had he not been chosen. Sometimes, God works through people who are lesser-known, who are nobody's, in order to accomplish His will.

Jesus said to His disciples, "In this world, you will have tribulation (trouble), but take heart I have overcome the world." What is tribulation or trouble? What did these words of Jesus mean for the disciples? What does it mean for us today?

Peter shares the Good News of Jesus with the Gentiles, and there were some who were none too pleased about this. Who are those who have been chosen and called by God to be His children and to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Jews? Gentiles? Me? You? ALL people?

There are many voices that we hear in our lifetime, and that speaks to us, many of which try to lead us away from God. Jesus tells us that "my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, speaks to us His sheep through His Word and Sacraments, and He lays down His life for His sheep to bring them forgiveness and salvation.

After the resurrection, Jesus has a conversation with Peter that we see as Jesus restoring Peter as a disciple. On the road to Damascus, Jesus appears to Saul, and he becomes the apostle Paul. Jesus changes people. How has he changed you?

On Easter Sunday, there are many things that happen that we read about in the next number of weeks. Jesus on the road to Emmaus; Jesus appears to His disciples when Thomas isn't there. When we look at Thomas, who is doubting Thomas and believing Thomas in the same reading, we can ask ourselves: Are we at all like Thomas? And what does it mean for us in our world today?

On Easter Sunday, come and step inside the empty tomb and see that Jesus is not dead, He is alive! The silence of His death on Good Friday is met with Angels and Alleluias on Easter Sunday. What does it all mean for us? And why do we need Jesus, on Easter Sunday?