May 26, 2026

Today's Reading: John 10:1-10

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:21-23:3; Luke 22:24-46

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In the Small Catechism, Luther names the sources of temptation as the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature (Lord’s Prayer, 3rd Petition). Very often (if not always), these temptations to sin come as the promise that your life will be better or more pleasing if you just give in. 

“You’ll have much more fun if you just disobey your parents and lie about what you’re really doing.” “If you skip church every weekend to play ball, you could get a scholarship and eventually end up rich and famous. Going to church won’t do that for you!” “You and your girlfriend will feel so much better and grow closer together if you quit fighting your urges and give in already.” 

But Jesus reminds us that these are always empty promises. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The devil, the world, and our sinful natures are nothing more than thieves and robbers, which are opposed to God’s will and design for our lives. Instead of making our lives better or more pleasurable, sin will always leave us in pain and misery and drive us away from God. 

The truly good life isn’t found outside of God’s word, but in it! “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” Jesus promised. (John 10:10). Jesus came, taking on our human likeness, to suffer under the law and die as the payment for our sins so that He could grant us life; life offered in His Word and Sacrament and received by faith. That is true life - the good and blessed life. 

This is not a promise that we’ll get everything we want; an easy life full of riches and fame with little pain or suffering. Remember, the things that our sinful flesh desires are likely to turn us away from God. The abundant life that Jesus promises is a life lived in communion with God. We live with the confidence that our sins are forgiven and that God loves us in Christ. We live with the hope that God cares for us and provides for all our needs of body and soul. We live with the promise that not even death will separate us from the love of Christ. And we live with eyes opened to see the emptiness in the promises of the thieves and robbers, and the goodness of God’s will for our lives as expressed in His Commandments. 

The devil, the world, and our sinful nature will try to convince us that our life in Christ is dull and dreary and that we must run away from God and His Word to find goodness and pleasure. But we know that our life in Christ is an abundant life, full of contentment, peace, and joy.   

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I am content! My Jesus is my light, My radiant sun of grace. His cheering rays beam blessings forth for all, Sweet comfort, hope, and peace. (LSB 468: 3)

Rev. Aric Fenske, Executive Director of Lutherans for Life.