Reflections

November 2, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: Baptism Part 4

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 13:1-18, Matthew 13:1-23

What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Baptism is supposed to make your life harder.  Actually, it’s supposed to end it.  Kill you. That’s the best thing it can offer.  Death with Jesus. Life with Him too.  But we only focus on the second part.  Usually to our detriment.  We imagine the baptized life as God’s holy children to be cleaner. Better.  Wholly devoted to Him and His service. Instead we lose a war with ourselves every day.  Because the Old Adam wasn’t drowned once.  He has to die daily.  Old Adam daily drowns.  He must be a strong swimmer. Paul might say it better than Luther. 

St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4).”  The Lord throws the dirt on you while you still claw at the coffin.   Because He loves you.  He loves you enough to bring to nothing the things that will kill you, and unite you to the death that actually saves you: Christ’s. Old Adam’s struggles are found in trying to live by chasing things that kill. And we won’t stop, even after receiving His forgiveness, life, and salvation. So He nails us to the cross with Jesus in our Baptism.  Throws us into the tomb with Him, and keeps throwing dirt on us every time we claw our way out.  Because death with Jesus yields life with Jesus.  Daily.  

Daily you are made new. Holy. Daily you are tied to salvation.  Your last mistake, the same one you made daily for as long as you can remember and wish you could forget? That’s forgiven. Daily.  Because you’re baptized.  Remember it.  Daily. Make the sign of the cross. It doesn’t forgive you. It reminds you of the forgiveness you can’t escape in your Baptism.  Because God won’t stop pouring out mercy.  Daily.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Christian, firmly hold this gift And give God thanks forever! It gives the power to uplift In all that you endeavor. When nothing else revives your soul, Your Baptism stands and makes you whole And then in death completes you. (LSB 596:5)

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

November 1, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 12:13-32, Matthew 12:38-50

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  (Matthew 5:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Some folks feel awkward in church.  They don’t fit the decor.  They know it. To them, the whole thing feels fake.  It might be where the meek go, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are peacemakers.  It might be where folks mourn, but unless they’re burying someone they feel out of place.  This is a place to be merciful, but it’s a little too stuffy, and there are other options for that.  But the thing that really cuts is that this is a place for the pure in heart.  And God knows.  

They probably have a better read on things than the rest of us. God is actually present here in a meaningful way.  A different way than He’s everywhere else.  But the more time we spend here, the more we can be tricked into forgetting it.  We lose sight of the magnificent in the liturgy we have memorized.  The divine is here, and His standards don’t change just because you’re not impressed by the felt banners and bald pastor.  If it’s your job to fit in here, the house will stand empty.  If it’s a house for the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, that’s not you.  Because it’s not your house.  It’s Christ’s.  Even when some swagger around like they own it. Even when some of us know full well we don’t fit.  He reminds us that above all the rest, this is a house for the poor in spirit.  To the one utterly alienated from God.  And that still isn’t you.  It’s Christ, who though He was rich, became poor, who though He knew no sin, became sin.  It would be tragic except for the fact that He did it for you.  Which makes it beautiful.  

Every beatitude is Jesus for you.  He becomes all of those things and gives you every reward.  He took your sins. He took everything about you that doesn’t fit. And invites you to receive every good thing He has.  It’s never measured in you.  It’s always given by Him.  On the good weeks where you got a little better. On the worst weeks where everything fell apart.  It is only this: Are you in Christ Jesus?  Are you baptized?  If you’re the kind of sinner that’s scared to be here, or the kind of sinner that isn’t anymore, that forgiveness is still yours. You are a saint now. A holy one of God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 31, 2023

Today's Reading: Romans 3:19-29

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 11:26-12:12, Matthew 12:22-37

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. (Romans 3:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Words of law are always the most optimistic. “This is what we should do.  I have a plan.” They bear witness to righteousness.  They just can’t give it.  It would come from the Law if we could fulfill it.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Words of Law will leave you wanting to love Jesus but getting lost under hating yourself.  Looking for an excuse for everything you do that He says not to, which usually just means finding someone else to hate instead.  We can’t help but see the worst intention in people because deep down we know our own. 

We know what we did this week, and try to ignore the fact that God saw it too.  We know what we’re called, and what we can’t unsee when we look in the mirror.  We know how tiring it gets to balance our accomplishments against our failures on a lopsided hill.  Every mouth is stopped sooner or later.  But it’s Reformation Day so let’s just tell the story of Luther and a church door. Christianity has become a race to not actually needing Jesus anymore.  And it doesn’t work.  

The Law bears witness to how things are supposed to be.  It just can’t get us there.  So, God, in mercy, fulfills it for us.  Then bears Himself the wrath we rightly deserve. The righteousness of God is manifested on the cross.  It’s called the Gospel.  Jesus died for you.  For all the things that you have done and been through that aren’t the way they’re supposed to be.  And your sins are forgiven.  You are holy. You are baptized.  The righteousness of God is manifested in that font for you. You wear that righteousness.  And in Christ, even the Law bears witness to you.  It paints a picture of how God sees you. It paints a picture of good that you can freely live in, because it doesn’t measure you.  It was measured in Christ. It is finished. It is yours. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 30, 2023

Today's Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18

Daily Lectionary:Deuteronomy 11:1-25, Matthew 12:1-21

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy."  (Leviticus 19:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I’ve never had to go to court, so I guess I haven’t done injustice there.  Mostly because I’ve never gotten caught doing injustice outside of the court.  I should probably definitely try to speak better of my neighbor.  Or at least talk a little less trash.  There’s a commandment about that somewhere between 7 and 9.  Realistically, I could probably do that better. I don’t know how to carve the hate out of my heart though.  It plants itself in past wrongs.  It festers in old wounds.  It carves away that which should be given to love and corrupts it, even darkening my reason.  Ask me how I was right when it comes to those who have wronged me.  Even my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

The Law shows us our sin.  Because it doesn’t paint a picture of us.  The Law paints a picture of Jesus. He is the one who actually fulfilled it.  He is the one to imagine when we want to see what it looks like.  The LORD is holy.  But our text does not call us to try to be like God.  That led to some problems in the past between Genesis 2 and 4.  God speaks.  Something happens.  Think Genesis 1.  Let there be light.  And it was good.  You shall be holy.  And you are.  Jesus, who fulfills the Law in your stead dies on the cross to forgive your sin.  Your pastor pronounces absolution.  Your sins are taken away. You are holy, even as holy as Jesus. He makes you that way.  So when we read the Law and find all our shortcomings, we take them to Him who forgives us, and makes us new to love our neighbor free from having to measure.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O grant that nothing in my soul May dwell, but Thy pure love alone; Oh, may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown! All coldness from my heart remove; My ev’ry act, word, thought be love (LSB 683:2)

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 29, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 22:34-46

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 9:23-10:22, Matthew 11:20-30

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. (Matthew 22:35 )

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Pharisees were a lot of things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.  If the question seemed too easy on the surface, you’re right.  The core of the 10 commandments is love.  Love the Lord. Love your neighbor. These are the two tables of the law. The real question is underneath it. If that’s all it takes…what are you doing here? 

The answers in your catechism show how much love demands in each commandment, but there’s more.  The Pharisees could only measure love in themselves and their actions. The things they did. The things they abstained from. The Lord ceased to be the provider of all good things worthy of love.  Instead, He became the measuring stick who can only be appreciated by the worthy. The neighbor to be loved ceased to be a neighbor, the subject receiving love.  Instead, they became objects, proof for each Pharisee that it was ok to love themselves.  Jesus isn’t content to leave us here, loving ourselves above all things. They ask about the law.  He responds with the Gospel.  

Who is the Christ? How can He be the Son of David if He is David’s Lord?  The answer is easy, too.  Love.  Not as a feeling or a measuring stick, but as a sacrifice. God, who is love, took on human flesh, born of David’s line, yet David’s Lord, to redeem sinners like him, like us, and like the Pharisees too.  He not only fulfills the law, but forgives us for falling short.  In this freedom we can finally stop looking at ourselves to provide all good things and look to God.  Our neighbors can finally be the subject of mercy instead of an object to prove we’re doing enough.  We already have the victory in Jesus. Sin, death, the devil, and even our best efforts lie defeated under His feet.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, You have commanded us to love You above all things and our neighbors as ourselves. Grant us the Spirit to think and do what is pleasing in Your sight, that our faith in You may never waver and our love for one another may not falter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 28, 2023

Today's Reading: John 15:12-21

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 9:1-22,  Matthew 11:1-19

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  (John 15: 18-19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Happy St. Simon and St. Jude day!  Simon is the patron saint of saw workers and St. Jude is the patron saint of desperate situations or lost causes.  More on that in a bit.  If you look up St. Simon and St. Jude you won’t find much information other than they were the 10th and 11th disciples named among the 12 disciples.  We don’t set these saint days apart to pray to the saints or uphold them with some unnecessary esteem.  However we do give thanks to God that He worked through men like this for the extension of His Kingdom throughout the world.  It is kind of comical that St. Jude is the patron saint of “desperate situations and lost causes.”  It's comical that Christians would pray to St Jude about desperate situations and lost causes.  St. Jude was in need of a savior just like you and I are!  Who did St. Jude pray to when he experienced desperate situations and lost causes?  He prayed to Jesus!  Jesus who today says that the world is a place full of desperate situations and lost causes.  

Sin has caused all of our desperation, it has caused us to lose our own way.  If that wasn’t bad enough, Jesus tells us today that the world is going to hate you for being a follower of Him! Talk about desperation and losing out in the game of life!  However, Jesus tells us this today not to bring fear, but to remind us that the world treated Him the same way. The world hated Jesus so much that they didn’t want Him anywhere but on a cross.  The world hates that Jesus loves you so much that He shed his precious blood to cover you of all your sins. Because of that glorious cross the world hates that Jesus promises you everlasting life by His death and resurrection.  

In a world of desperation and lost causes remember what Jesus says to you today “I chose you out of the world.”  In your Baptism all desperation and loss is turned into hope and joy because Jesus has sought you out and found you. Thanks be to God Jesus preached the same message through St. Simon and St. Jude.  Let the world think what it wants of you, they hated Jesus, they hated Simon and Jude and all the other saints, they will hate you because you are baptized.  Let the world do its worst to us, they have no victory over Jesus or you as you walk as a redeemed saint who is precious in His sight.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the apostles. As they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so may we with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR..

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 27, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 10:24-42

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Matthew 10:24-42

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.  (Matthew 10:39)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Life is full of so many unexpected twists and turns.  There are always those things that we never anticipated happening, being dumped into your lap.  We thought we knew what was going on and suddenly we had to re-evaluate our plans and future.  As Christians it is very important that we realize this rather than shy away from it.  Jesus was never one who promised a life full of ease and happiness. For us today who live in the shadow of Jesus’ cross we have to constantly be brought to the realization that we really aren’t in charge.  In your sins you want to be in control, you want to be the author and sustainer of your life, but your sins also show you that is not the case.  

Sometimes when God allows chaos, uncertainty or suffering to be dumped into our lap God may very well be stopping our selfish and sinful plans. However this is a daily battle we face each and every day.  Luther says that our greatest enemies are sin, the devil and even ourselves in our sinful flesh.  Yes, that means you are your own worst enemy.  It’s so hard to have God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven, but even then Jesus has come to take on our mortal and sinful nature for us.  His path seemed to have many unexpected twists and turns, it seems as if so many things he faced were unanticipated.  

However in all things, He knew the path set before Him. His path had His eyes set on you, His joy and delight.  He is the one who lost His life, so that you might gain eternal life. In the case of uncertainty and suffering we find comfort in the fact that Jesus Himself is acquainted with suffering and grief but even more He is the one who came for the sake of you, to endure the cross and its suffering and chaos to insure that you will live with Him never to be of concern about your plans or future.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR..

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 26, 2023

Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 7:1-19, Matthew 10:1-23

They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. ( 1 Thess. 1: 9-10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s hard to be hopeful today about many things. Finances, social statuses, our health, what kind of techy pads or phones we don’t have, all the way down to loneliness, despair, depression and abandonment.  It really stinks living in a world that is drenched in sin.  If we had some hope, it might motivate us a bit more.  We need hope, we would like to put something hopeful in our calendar or social media status.  Anything to keep us from facing the daily pains of our sins.  

However, most of our hope is based on us and how we can make things better.  We say “well, things will get better if I just get through this day…” “things will get better when I’m married or get a raise…” But what if things don’t get better? What if the pain and struggles continue for the foreseeable future?  When we talk about hope as Christians we need more than just a temporary fix.  Hope is more than making lemonades out of life’s lemons because our problems are much bigger than we see. Sin is at the core of all that is broken, full of despair and hopeless.  As Christians we see hope in Jesus’ permanent fix for this life.  Paul says today “[God] raised from the dead Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath of to come.”  Jesus gives you permanent hope. Believe it or not this hope actually cuts through the sharpest of pains in life all the way down to our trivial complaints. This hope forgives and heals you of your sins. That’s why we rejoice - because faith, love and hope are for you in Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Hope of the world, God's gift from highest heaven, bringing to hungry souls the bread of life:

still let your Spirit unto us be given  to heal earth's wounds and end her bitter strife.  (LSB 690:2)

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR..

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 25, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther's Small Catechism: Baptism Part 3

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 6:10-25, Matthew 9:19-38

“Clearly it is not the water that does it, but the word of God that is in and with the water, and the faith that trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Water is the greatest earthly gift that God has given to us in this life.  You are reminded of how important it is to drink your 8 glasses a day of water each day and that probably gets annoying.  If you lose too much water you get dehydrated and can die.  How many times have you seen a show where someone is in the desert parched and looking for just a simple bit of water.  Even the rich man sitting in hell asked for Lazarus to simply dip his finger in some water to cool his tongue.  Water is a big thing in Christianity too.  

All Christians speak about Baptism in some way or another.  Have you noticed that so many Christians today tend to focus on the water?  Sprinkling, immersing, churchy bathtubs, rivers or the ocean.  So much tends to be focused on how much water one needs to be baptized.  If  you think about it, water isn’t exactly in huge abundance for all peoples and locations.  In some areas water is a very precious commodity.  People have to spend an immense amount of time, money and energy to have access to water.  What water they do have is extremely precious and wisely used.  If I am in an area where there is a severe drought and water is very precious, does God really require us to fill a large pool or tub to be immersed?  

That’s why as Lutherans we have always stated that God sets no standard for how much water we need or where it is to be found.  To be blunt Luther today is really saying “To be sure, water is absolutely necessary for Baptism, but let's not lose focus of what Jesus is doing in Holy Baptism.”  In Baptism the focus is on the fact that God has attached His Word to water.  It is His command and His promise attached to water that Jesus works through, whether it be a sprinkle or Niagara Falls.  The Word of God that is in and with the water is the very hand of God, giving out all the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection for the life of all sinners.  Thanks be to God for water,  you need it for everything in this life that we live. Thanks be to God for attaching His Word to the waters of Holy Baptism where He gives you all that you the waters of everlasting life, never to evaporate or recede, for Jesus says to you; “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR..

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

October 24, 2023

Today's Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9, Matthew 9:1-17

“This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of…”. (Isaiah 45:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever seen God work in someone that you totally never expected?  Maybe the person was a nominal Christian or maybe they were the furthest thing from a Christian.  It can catch us off guard at times with how God can use evil people for His will to be done.   In the events leading up to our Old Testament text today from Isaiah. Israel found themselves in exile from God.  Another way of putting it is that they were “divorced” from God.  However, God was still at work for their benefit.  When Israel was sent into exile, God used both the Babylons and the Persians to do His will for the children of God.  

Today we hear of the Persian King named Cyrus.  Cyrus is not an Israelite, he never will be one of them.  He is a pagan ruler who knows nothing about the remarkable history between Israel and God.  However the God of Israel will use Cyrus for the deliverance of Israel.  In the reading today, notice that in working with good or evil, God is the active agent in this story, no one else. Read the text again and you will see almost every sentence begins with “I”, the “I” being God.  “I will go before you,” “I have grasped,” “I will give,” “I call you,” “I name you,” “I equip you,” "I form” and “I make.”  They are all there.  And why does God take action through this man named Cyrus; for the sake of his servant, Israel, His chosen people.  All of God’s actions are done for the sake of his people who he has not forgotten.

God could have raised one of Israel’s own up to do what needed to be done, but instead he chose an outsider.  By the way, notice in verse 1 what Isaiah says of Cyrus. Cyrus is the “anointed one”. The word in Hebrew for “anointed one” means “Christ” in Greek. Not something you might have expected.  God’s work is in unusual and surprising ways.  Simply look at the cross and see the dead Son of God bringing the Life of the World to you. In our sins we are divorced from God. However Jesus’ unending love for you, His bride, placed him on the cross. He became the exiled one so that we could be brought back into the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father and the inheritance prepared for you in the life of the world to come.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, in Your mercy guide the course of this world so that Your Church may joyfully serve You in godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR..

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

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.