Reflections

Today's Reading: John 21:19-24

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 51:17-52:12; Matthew 2:1-12

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  “Just give me the truth!”  It is a common thought that resonates to many people today.  We all want to know the truth.  We all want to hear the truth.  We do not want to be lied to or have the truth embellished, just give us the truth.  As John writes his Gospel, he has one thing in mind, “To bear witness to the truth.”  He wants to be a reliable witness about the events that have taken place before his very eyes.  He wants the world to know that Jesus is the Son of God and that by believing in the works of Christ as sufficient for our salvation, salvation is delivered.  John is a reliable witness.

Our world around us seeks to deconstruct the truth.  We live in an era where words like misinformation and disinformation are common in our daily vocabulary.  We can’t make it through one round of surfing channels or scrolling through our social media feeds without being reminded that certain information contains inaccuracies or only partial truths.  Notifications on various feeds will indicate that information is missing or that appropriate verification has not taken place.  Doubt and uncertainty surround us.  

John the Apostle wanted nothing more than to deliver the truth and remove all doubt about Jesus Christ.  It is just two days after Christmas, and we recognize St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.  His primary purpose was to deliver the message that God the creator of all things is revealed to us in the flesh in Jesus Christ.  He begins his Gospel with creation and closes it with a testimony to the accuracy of what is written.  John’s Gospel takes the reader around the cross and delivers the message that our God has come down to us in the flesh.  He died and rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven.  The truth of the historical narrative of Jesus gives to us the assurance of the promise that He is returning in all His Glory to raise the dead.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed in the doctrine of Your blessed apostle and evangelist John, may come to the light of everlasting life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen (TODP-pg 1061)

-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

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.

Today's Reading: Acts 6:8-7:2, 51-60

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:22-26; 50:4-51:8, 12-16; Matthew 1:18-25

 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A blessed and joy filled Christmas to everyone!  The 26th of December gives us a little reprieve during all the Christmas celebrations.  The day after Christmas brings us to the first martyr in the Scriptures, Stephen.  He is called out for speaking the truth about Jesus Christ and the local church leaders do not like the message he is proclaiming.  He is delivering a faithful law and Gospel sermon and the hearers want nothing to do with the message of Jesus Christ.  The result?  Let’s bring him before the authorities and drum up some bogus charges so that this man will just be quiet about all this nonsense regarding Jesus Christ!  

Stephen does not back down.  He keeps pressing forward with the message of salvation through Christ.  The local leaders have heard enough!  Kill him!  Even during his stoning, he begs God to not hold this sin against them.  In his life and death, he lives in the forgiveness of sins through Christ alone.  Each rock pummeling him is yet another opportunity for him to ask God to exact His judgment upon them, but he doesn’t.  Instead of vengeance and wrath he seeks God’s forgiveness for them.

In our lives today, we are confronted with the chaos of sin.  The same sin that consumed the church leaders of Stephen’s time consumes us too.  We want to silence the Gospel.  We want to appeal to our own flesh.  We want the credit for our achievements, and we certainly desire to participate in our own salvation.  God’s law confronts us and exposes our sinfulness.  His holy law reveals our unholiness and shows us the need for a savior.  The day after Christmas death confronts us in the remembrance of St. Stephen.  We are given that example in Stephen that even in the most difficult times of lives the forgiveness of sins prevails. We no longer must carry the burden of our own sin.  Our savior Jesus Christ has come into this world to redeem the world.  He has come into this world to die for all our sins.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, in the midst of our sufferings for the sake of Christ grant us grace to follow the example of the first martyr, Stephen, that we also may look to the One who suffered and was crucified on our behalf and pray for those who do us wrong; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen (Treasury of Daily Prayer, pg 1057)

-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

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.

Today's Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18; Matthew 1:1-17

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. At just the right time, Jesus was born.  At just the right time, God sent His son to be born of a woman.  At just the right time God sent His son to be born under the law.  Our savior Jesus Christ came into this world at just the right time.  God chose the time and the place where His son would be born.  On Christmas Day we rejoice and celebrate the gift of salvation that came into this world.  The day that the Word made His dwelling amongst us.  

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we engage in numerous activities that help reinforce the magnificent gift of salvation through Jesus.  We go to church and sing the familiar hymns of Christmas.  We receive His body and blood for the strengthening of faith and the forgiveness of sins.  We hear the message of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.  We sit around the family dinner table and reminisce of years gone by and reflect on loved ones who are no longer with us.  We open gifts and extend gratitude towards family and friends who have taken time to remember us in their Christmas giving.  All these activities give us the remembrance that our savior Jesus Christ came into this world for the salvation of the world; certainly, some activities more than others.  

When it comes to Jesus, He is the gift.  Christ brings to us exactly what we need.  In the manger is the Son of God that has come to redeem the world.  In the manger is forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.  In the manger is the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king for the people of God.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

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.

Today's Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14

Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 44:21-45:13, 20-25; Revelation 12:1-17 

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Advent is over. The preparation for the coming of our Messiah is complete.  In the Divine Service we shift our hymnody from Advent to Christmas.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us!  The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in the baby lying in a manger.

Our creator gives us exactly what we need.  We need a savior.  As King Ahaz dialogues with Isaiah, he thinks he needs an army to stave off the encroaching army from the north.  Isaiah reminds King Ahaz that the Lord God of this universe will guard the kingdom from the enemy.  Ahaz wants nothing to do with the Lord. (Is 7:12) Ahaz wants to lead the people on his own terms with the help of men not God.  He desires the credit of being the one who overthrew the enemy.  His pride has consumed him, and he no longer trusts in God.

Isaiah’s prophecy of the virgin giving birth to a son reminds King Ahaz that it is God’s plan not his that matters.  Today it is God’s plan that brings to us salvation through the forgiveness of sins in Christ.  The Old Adam in us wants Christmas to be about us and what we want.  “What’s in it for me?” is what the sinful self asks.  The world constantly reminds us of what we need for peace and comfort. His Holy Word reminds us that the birth of our savior Jesus Christ is the only gift we need.  In Christ the word became flesh.  The fulfillment of the prophets is at hand. Salvation has come into this world.  The kingdom of God is before us.  We take comfort daily knowing that our sins have been paid for with the one gift of God’s only son Jesus, Immanuel-God with us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen (Collect for Christmas Eve-LSB)

-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church  in Athens Georgia.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

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. 

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:25-44:20; Revelation 11:1-19

I, I am he, the one blotting out your rebellions for mine own sake, and your sins I will not remember.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Blotting out rebellions?  What?  It’s almost Christmas Eve. That little Advent calendar almost has Jesus nestled in the manger. Blotting out rebellions?  We know how the game works this close to Christmas, why don’t we just keep it simple?  If you’re naughty, you get nothing. If you're nice, well then today, tomorrow and the next day look pretty good for you.  But Isaiah the Prophet writes that naughty and nice aren’t going to figure at all into “I AMs” becoming Emmanuel. Isaiah says; Jesus comes regardless. In fact, Isaiah says this Jesus is coming for the rebellious ones, the sick ones, the dead ones, and He’s not just come to blot out rebellions but literally to wipe out/ annihilate sins.  

Like an old-fashioned floppy computer disk that’s had a magnet run over it (ask your parents or google it),  Jesus comes to annihilate sin and even the memory of YOUR sin.  Then Isaiah says why Jesus is going to do it “for Mine own sake.”  Jesus is true to His promise but also we see that this text infers that Jesus does it for us. He comes for rebels (and He’s not talking about whether you’ve dyed your hair or some other crazy cool thing). Jesus comes for those who have spoken and acted against Him. He’s come for the sick ones that can’t heal themselves, the ones who’ve spoken out against Him, called Him names, tweeted, snap chatted and tik-tocked all sorts of slanderous, nasty things about Him. He’s even come for you as you hold yourself in higher regard than your neighbors, classmates, and so on. He’s come to annihilate, wipe out your sins of chastisement, gossip and self-righteousness and He’s come as a lowly, meek, and humble child.

It’s not about naughty or nice. Jesus the Savior came not to remember your sins, but to annihilate them.  It is His coming to us that reminds us that it is Christ alone who Has, IS, and will sustain us. He will willingly take that which causes our death, make it His own, put it to death (annihilate it) by His death all in order to save us; to provide the most blessed exchange, our sin for His Redemption and forgiveness; our rebelliousness exchanged for His perfect obedience; our death exchanged for His life given freely to us.    

You and I have a future, not because we’ve been nice, not even because we’ve only been a little naughty. Ours is a future pinned on the certainty that not even our sins could defeat our Lord and God. No amount of guilt, shame, or remorse is a match for Our Savior, as Isaiah says “He does for His own sake.”  Jesus your God, came as your Servant to willingly bear the burden. He’s borne the burden to remove even the slightest spot of rebellion and transgression away by becoming a man like us, to forgive (blot out) sins by His innocent suffering and death, by His blood shed that covers us in His righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The One Whom angels tended comes near, a child, to serve; Thus God, the judge offended, bears all our sins deserve.  The guilty need not cower, for God has reconciled through His redemptive power all those who trust this Child.  (LSB 337 “The Night will soon be ending” St. 2

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Today's Reading: Table of Duties: To Subjects

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:1-24; Revelation 9:13-10:11

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work” (Tit. 3:1).

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the explanation of the 4th Commandment, we’ve learned what it means to honor.  To honor is to hold them in high esteem, to show dignity that God has rightly given to them as those who are given by God to look after us, and take care of us.  The Small Catechism explains what honor looks like by also telling us what we are not to do.  Do not despise or anger our parents or other authorities.  

This section of the Table of Duties teaches us that citizens are to honor the civil government and to show dignity to those given to rule over us; this is important but it is not the whole story.  God also places us in positions to participate in the activities, governance, and care of our society.  We are to care as Christ cared, to honor as our Lord honored the authorities. How was that? He suffered under Pontus Pilate; Jesus willingly subjected himself to Pilate and the office that Pilate had been given by God. To say that Christ suffered under Pontus Pilate is simply to say that Jesus suffered unto God the Father who placed Pilate in his governorship.  

As the children of God then we are governed by the Word of God. Not only are we encouraged to participate in civil discourse, and conversations with our classmates, teachers, and public officials. We may also be afforded the opportunity to run for public office at the school or public level, and opportunities for service in the military or to volunteer in the community are other options too.  This duty: of citizens reminds us first and foremost, that acts of charity and mercy for the temporal support of their neighbors in need are founded in Christ Jesus who first subjected Himself to the temporal authorities for our sake.  Thankfully this article isn’t just about paying taxes and obeying the laws of the land, although that is included.  We are given to pray for our rulers, participate in the general welfare of the nation, and “be ready to do whatever is good.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Merciful Father, grant us faith to pray for the civil authorities and to trust that You will accomplish Your good and gracious will through them.  Teach us to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness and to be ready to do whatever is good in service to others in our community and nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Today's Reading: John 20:24-29

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 42:1-25; Revelation 9:1-12

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The title of the reflection says it all: St. Thomas, Apostle.  That’s how we should remember Thomas.  But we’ve loved to give him another nickname, haven’t we?  But Thomas isn’t a doubter at all, at least not any more than anyone else.  When Jesus announced to his disciples that He was going to Judea, some of his disciples tried to stop him (John 11:8). Thomas was not dissuaded; instead He boldly proclaimed: “Let us also go, that we may die with him”

Thomas is an Apostle; one sent out by Jesus Himself to teach and to preach, to heal wounds, perform miracles and proclaim the mysteries of the Gospel.  That’s precisely what Thomas did on that first Easter Sunday and eight days later.  

I know, it sounds like Thomas is balking at the idea that someone could be raised from the dead. It’s more profound than that. He disbelieved the Resurrection, but let’s face facts, all of us balk at the Resurrection too.  So Thomas demands to see the One with holes in hands and side, meaning that if this resurrection thing is true, then I only wish to see Jesus; the One who said He’d be crucified. And if you guys aren’t going to show me that One, well then, I’ll never believe.  Show me Christ Crucified. That IS a good confession!!! Indeed, it’s the greatest and only Confession; that Christ Crucified is the One who came to earth as the Son of David, the Son of God, bore our sinful flesh to death, and died with nails in His hands and feet and a pierced side, for Thomas and for you.

St. Thomas Apostle; the sent-out guy.  That’s the good and right way to see Thomas and to commemorate the day that marks his death in the year 72 AD.  Thomas, the Apostle, the one who refused to believe in anything but the Crucified Christ.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and ever-living God, You strengthened Your Apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in the resurrection of Your Son.  Grant us such faith in Jesus Christ the Crucified One that we may never be found wanting in Your sight; through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Today's Reading: Romans 1:1-7

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:18-41:10; Revelation 8:1-13

Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3b).

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  God became a man, meaning that all that was common to fallen men was what Jesus understood, knew, lived, and bore with.  Jesus cried, felt pain, knew ridicule and being made fun of. He knew sorrow and sadness, watched people He loved go through pain, scarcity, and worry. Jesus Christ, fully God (that’s 100%); fully man (that’s 100%) bore all the sin, weight, guilt, sorrow, and so on, and all this without sin. 

To say this doesn’t make sense is perhaps the understatement of the year. 100% plus 100%; that’s 200%.  Isn’t it wonderful then that to our world, to our feeble and simple minds Jesus simply came, not to make everything in this world of law make sense? He came because in the fallen world very little, if anything, has made sense; people get sick and die, tragedies and misunderstandings plague each and every day. Since the Fall, although we like to think that we’re logical, reasonable and that most things make sense. in reality very little actually makes sense at all.  He came to a people, to us, in the depths of the ocean who've only known darkness, depths, and weight and has come to believe that that’s the only normal way.

To a world of darkness came The Light, and the world hated the light.  He came bringing peace and the world hated it because they’d grown used to strife, darkness, pain, misery, and the like.  He came into a world that we said made sense, a world in which we said He’d have to assimilate. Jesus takes sin, darkness, death, destruction, and depravity and hangs them with Him and dies; God-Man. THE God-Man dies and with Him our guilt, shame and heaviness. Jesus was long spoken about by God in the Garden “I will put enmity between thee (the serpent) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15.)  That seed is Jesus. Hear St. John: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a seed fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24). 

The seed of David?  Jesus is THE MAN, the seed that Crushes the serpent's head?  That’s Jesus too!  The seed that dies and bears much fruit?  You guessed it–Jesus; The God-Man come for you.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen

The everlasting Son, Incarnate deigns to be, Himself a servants form puts on to set His servants free. (LSB 331 “The Advent of our King” St. 2)

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Today's Reading: Isaiah 7:10-17

Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz:“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. (Isaiah 7:10-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Throughout the Holy Scriptures, with few exceptions, there are two voices.  The consistent, compassionate, merciful, correcting, loving voice of Almighty God who’s always reminding His people of His great love, grace, mercy, and peace.  But there are also the voices of God’s creatures who seem to always be fighting and arguing against God, not necessarily in violent or offensive ways, at least as we’d determine violence and offense. But like ole Ahaz “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the Test”;  St. Peter’s another, whether it’s saying to Jesus “Far be it from you, Lord, this shall never come to You'' (in response to Jesus saying HE MUST go to the cross) or later in Acts chapter 10:13-16 when Peter sees the vision of all the wonderful animals descending to earth. God says “Get up Peter, kill and eat.”  And Peter says no Lord, I’ve never eaten anything impure or unclean, to which God says,  “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  Peter recalls that this happened three times.  That, brothers and Sisters ought to show you just a little about the long-suffering of God for us.

We’d think then that long-suffering and patience might only be extended to nice people, like Peter. But what about the nasty people like King Ahaz the 12th King of Judah, you know, a king whose governance was considered to be disastrous to the political and religious state of Israel, never mind his offering of His own son to the false god Molech (2 Kings 16:18)?

But there’s Yahweh, speaking to, loving, and teaching Ahaz, the earthly King of the people of God. Yahweh says “Ask for a sign” and then goes on to say the equivalent of “it can be as hair-brained as you could imagine.”  But Ahaz who loved the law, not wanting or desiring to blaspheme the Name of God (1st Commandment) says, like Peter, no, I won’t do it.

What consternation we’d expect from Yahweh?  But there is none to be found. Sure there will be all sorts of terrible things that come to Judah and Israel because of the unbelief of the people, which Yahweh will send. But through it all Yahweh will send the one who will, like Jonah, be three days in the belly of the earth after being crucified for the sins of Judah, Ahaz, Peter, you, and me.

There’s a lot of voices in the Holy Scriptures; a lot of arguing, a lot of nu-uhs and no-ways from the people of God. But our Lord and God who’s been speaking from the beginning, speaks to Ahaz, to Peter, and to us that we might be comforted and consoled by the only message that’s ever mattered: “Christ Jesus, crucified for the forgiveness of your sins.” (1 Corinthians 1:23). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Yet nights will bring their sadness and rob our hearts of peace, and sin in all its madness around us may increase.  But now one Star is beaming Whose rays have pierced the night: God comes for our redeeming from sins oppressive might. (LSB 337 The Night will soon be ending St. 4)

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Today's Reading: Matthew 1:18-2

Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 34:1-2, 8-35:10; Revelation 6:1-17

She will bear a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Mt. 1:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Names mean a whole lot. Your mother and father chose yours for a reason. Maybe it was a relative's name, maybe your name was found on an internet search for neat, contemporary names; regardless of how you were given your name, your name is how you’re known, remembered and the means by which you’re addressed.

God became a Man and was given a name too; Gabriel the Archangel as he comforts worrying Joseph says that the name of the Child in Mary’s womb, the Child that is to come into the world was conceived by the Spirit and was going to do some extraordinary stuff.  What though?  

He’d have a name, and He’d save His people from their sin.  The name Jesus, is derived from the name Joshua. Joshua in the Old Testament is pronounced Yeshua and Yeshua who was and is and will be Jesus (remember how we talked about this on Friday?) Yeshua is Jesus, Jesus was in the OT, you probably remember Him there by another Name (Yahweh: the pre-incarnate Christ). So Yeshua was the Promise that God gave to His people through the prophets and all History.  Yeshua/Jesus is the one long promised Who was bringing salvation. Salvation by His blood, His death and His atonement for our sin.

To help this make a little more sense, understand that the word salvation, in Hebrew, literally means “Yeshua”. Psalm 14:7 for example: "Oh, that the salvation (Yeshua) of Israel would come out of Zion! Or Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation (Yeshua) and sustain me with a willing spirit.  Gabriel says the same to Joseph and us: Jesus comes to save us; from sin, from death and the power of the Devil.  But don’t forget one of the other Names this Yeshua has: Emmanuel. This Savior Who is true man like us, is God with us.

There’s a whole lot in a Name and now you know a little more about Jesus. But lastly know this, Yeshua, Jesus, Emmanuel has come to give you a name, a family, a life, peace, joy and forgiveness.  The day when the old Adam was drowned in your Baptism you were given another Name. The very name of your Lord and Savior, Christ-ian.  He names you!  He claims you and says that all this is rightly His has been bestowed to you.  In the Name of Jesus + Amen.

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.