Reflections

Today's Reading: John 10:11-16

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:15-35; Luke 6:39-49

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "I am the good shepherd," says Jesus. That seems to mean that there are some bad shepherds, too. How do you know which shepherd is good or bad? A bad shepherd is not concerned with the well-being of the sheep. A bad shepherd will really only live for himself at the expense of the sheep he is supposed to care for. A bad shepherd comes to steal and rob the sheep. However, do not be deceived: The bad shepherds among you will also speak in ways that will sound very attractive, all while causing us to wander further and further away from the Good Shepherd. 

The Good Shepherd, on the other hand, cares for the sheep. But He does so in ways that seem unreasonable to most shepherds. He follows the one lost sheep through rugged terrain far and wide in order to bring him back to the fold. The Good Shepherd tells us, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:23). 

As our Good Shepherd is lifted up on the Cross it may seem as if He has abandoned His sheep and failed them. However, in the Cross of Jesus Christ we are drawn safely to His side. We have the Good Shepherd who seeks us out to bring each one of us, His lost sheep, safely home to His fold. Sheltered and secure in His goodness and love, we lack nothing. We are His and He is ours, now and forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Introit for the Third Sunday of Easter

      (Psalm 33:1, 18-20; antiphon: v.5b, 6a)

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:1-14; Luke 6:20-38 

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. (From the Introit for the Third Sunday of Easter) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever watched something so closely that you became obsessed with it? Maybe it's your phone or TV, maybe it's a video game that you can't tear yourself away from. Our eyes are generally fixed on things that are hard to look away from. Sometimes that is good, most of the time it is bad. 

The psalmist says that "The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him." That might seem a bit uncomfortable for us to hear. When we think about the Lord looking down on us with HIs own eyes we often feel a sense of guilt, maybe even a sense of wanting to hide. We certainly don't want anyone else to see us in our sins, let alone the Lord God almighty. While it is true that God sees us in our sins, that is not why He looks upon us with His eyes. He looks upon us to see where we are at in life and to draw us back to Him. Tomorrow is Good Shepherd Sunday. It's a wonderful Sunday in the Easter season when we are reminded that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Everyone knows that a Good Shepherd keeps a watchful eye on His flock. He keeps an eye on them so they do not wander off into danger. The eyes of the Lord are on you to bring you back to His mercy which is found in the forgiveness of all your sins. On the Last Day the Lord will look upon you with His own eyes and He will see nothing but His dear Son in you. Until then, rejoice that His eyes are ever upon you to guard and keep you until life everlasting. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternally in Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Prayer of Thanksgiving to God)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 31:1-18; Luke 6:1-19 

And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:9-11) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In our daily lectionary reading from Luke we see a portrayal of the Pharisees as those who, in their attempt to protect the Sabbath, burdened it with restrictions. We remember from the commandments that we are to "Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy." In Luther's explanation we read: "We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it." Are we more like the Pharisees in Luke's story than we care to admit? How have we managed to turn God's gift of the Sabbath into a burden? 

One could argue, for instance, that we have gone to the opposite extreme of the Pharisees. There are no restrictions on what we can do on our Sabbath Day. So many of us have soccer and baseball games, and multiple other activities on Sunday. Most of our stores are open and we often have taken Sundays to catch up on chores and projects around the house. When it comes to Sunday worship and the Divine Service, well, that becomes one more thing to squeeze into a busy day. 

Jesus says that the Sabbath was made for humankind. It is meant to be life-giving, not life-draining. It is meant to be a gift, a time apart from the relentless demands of daily life, a time to rest in God's presence. Whether it's Sundays at church or as you are reading this devotion on a Friday, your Sabbath time is a  blessed time to savor the goodness of Jesus' work for you. He worked tirelessly on your behalf and He did not rest until He was laid dead in the tomb. He is risen, and that is why Sundays have been our traditional time for the Sabbath rest. Church is a place or rest, not burden, a place of freedom, not obligation. Jesus has established your Sabbath rest in His Word so that you might be fully restored in body and soul. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. (Psalm 16:1)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: 1 John 5:4-10

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 25:1-22; Luke 5:17-39 

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It seems as if the world can throw an awful lot at us. It seems that just as we get through one major hurdle, like the pandemic, we have to deal with wars breaking out and inflation at all-time highs. Just one of these things would be difficult to overcome. If that wasn't bad enough, we also have all the sin and temptation that we wrestle with in our day-to-day lives. It certainly seems like the world is winning against you, dear Christian. 

Yet John reminds you that you are not of this world, for you have been "born of God." Jesus Christ has come to defeat sin, the devil, and our flesh, as well as this world, by the shedding of His blood. Water and blood flowed out of Jesus' side as He was hanging on the Cross. As He gave up His Spirit, He was fulfilling the victory for us over all of our enemies, including the world. Because He has overcome the world, so shall you. "For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree." 

In Holy Baptism you have been washed clean by water, blood, and the Spirit in order that you may share in the victory of Christ. This testimony is true; God does not lie to you, His children, and He will return to bring you out of this world into the new heavens and new earth that will never fade away. Until then this world will rage against you and the Church. It will seem as if the world is claiming victory over us, but hold on to your Baptism, hold on to your dear Savior Jesus, who assures us that, "It is finished." The world has been overcome for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure! You only, dearest Lord, my soul's delight shall be; You are my peace, my rest. What is the world to me! ("What Is the World to Me" LSB 730, st.1)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Ninth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 24:1-18; Luke 5:1-16 

You shall not covet your neighbor's house. What does this mean? We should fear and love God, so that we do not craftily seek to gain our neighbor's inheritance or home, nor get it by a show of right, but help and serve him in keeping it. (Small Catechism: Ninth Commandment)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever looked at the places that other people live in and long to own their house, their condo on the beach, or their apartment in the big city? We typically talk about coveting smaller things like cars, electronics, or other stuff that belongs to our neighbors. Many people around us live in better conditions and in better homes. 

How do we respond? Do we wait and pray for patience, knowing that God will provide for us according to His will? Do we uphold and protect the things that belong to our neighbor, including the home in which they live? Make no mistake: This commandment reminds us that we are consumed with all that our neighbor has and dwells in even when it's not rightly ours. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house." 

Thanks be to God that these commandments lead us to recognize our own sin. Jesus Christ has come for you. As He has told us, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). He serves you while giving up His heavenly home and rightful inheritance in the Kingdom of God so that you may be forgiven. Since we are redeemed by His precious blood, even the most covetous behavior we engage in is wiped away. As we are found homeless and without any riches in our sins, He now has promised to us a place that is prepared for us, an inheritance that will neither perish nor fade away.

He takes all of your sins, every last one of them, onto Himself so that you might be set free. You are who He obsesses over and that is why He has taken on sin, death, and the devil's fiercest attacks, all so that He can declare you to be His own dearest possession and call you to be at the Father's house forever and ever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

To me He said: "Stay close to Me, I am your rock and castle. Your ransom I Myself will be; For you I strive and wrestle. For I am yours, and you are Mine, And where I am you may remain; The foe shall not divide us." ("Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice" LSB 556, st.7)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14 

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 23:14-33; Luke 4:31-44 

"Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 37:5-6) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It was a dark time for God's people. Most of Israel had been exiled and there was a certain sense of hopelessness. The Temple had been destroyed, and its treasures taken. The Temple was the center of God's presence abiding with HIs people, and when that was destroyed, all seemed lost. God would reveal to Ezekiel a startling vision. His Spirit brought him to a valley full of dry bones. A place where there was no life. What Ezekiel sees is more hopelessness and despair. God asks Ezekiel if these bones can live. God then tells Ezekiel that these bones would be resurrected. God breathed on these dry and dusty bones the breath of life. At once they "came to life and stood on their feet." Moreover, they became "an exceedingly great army."

God explained that "these bones are the whole house of Israel." That He would cause His people to "come up out of your graves" and "come to life." And He would place them "on your own land."

Just as these dry bones have come back to life, we can be sure that on the last day the risen Lord Jesus will say to our dry and dusty graves, "Arise and live!" Despite our own despair and feelings of loss or hopelessness, He will accomplish His purpose. And He will bless those who bless His people. He will raise you on the Last Day. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, From death's dread sting Thy servants free, That we may live and sing to Thee. Alleluia! ("The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done" LSB 464, st.5)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Mark 16:14-20

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 22:20-23:13; Luke 4:16-30 

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Mark was one of the evangelists whom Jesus would use to proclaim the Gospel into all the world. Mark would go out after Jesus' ascension to tell that the kingdom of God was at hand and that all should repent and be baptized. Mark was never alone; Jesus was always with Him, just as He is with His Church today. But what was Mark to proclaim? This is more than just the facts about Jesus, as if He were just an important figure from the past, but is the living presence of Jesus with all His power to save. This is more than just "good news." It is news that brings about the new creation through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Today as we remember the Feast of St. Mark, we ponder that he (with Matthew and Luke) recorded for us the account of the Lord's Supper. This meal is the greatest of signs and wonders that accompany the proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus continues to pour His blessings through Word and Sacrament, which are His continued accompanying presence. 

As we approach to receive that same Jesus whom Mark received, we pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed further and further throughout the world. Give thanks to God for the work He did through Mark and pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would continue to send out this proclamation to all the world. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel through the evangelist Mark. Grant that we may firmly believe these glad tidings and daily walk according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for St. Mark the Evangelist)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: John 20:19-31

Daily Lectionary:Exodus 20:1-24; Luke 4:1-15 

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We can certainly agree with Thomas in today's reading: "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." We don't see people rise from the dead today! We cannot sit down with someone who has come back from the grave and ask them all of the questions that we have concerning death and the promises of Jesus. 

Yet how many other things do we take for granted and believe in this life even though we do not have physical proof of their existence? We believe that things like the Civil War occurred and that Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. We believe that men landed on the moon. Yet we cannot cannot speak to Lincoln or Neil Armstrong to verify that they really did what we have learned. But we are taught to believe and understand our history and embrace it. 

The Bible says that were well over 500 witnesses to Jesus' resurrection. The Gospel writers recorded that Jesus was truly risen in the flesh from the dead. Jesus would be seen with His disciples, He would physically eat with them and promise them life eternal. 

The Scriptures are given to us to reveal the will of God for us and for our salvation. They bear witness to all the things that Jesus has done for us through His death and mighty resurrection. We may not be able to prove His resurrection to the world, and in fact the Bible says the world will call us fools for believing such a thing. But by faith Jesus calls you blessed. We are blessed with the peace that passes all our understanding, blessed with the knowledge that even though we may die, in Christ we shall live. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Almighty God, grant that we, who have celebrated the Lord's resurrection, may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: Introit for the Second Sunday of Easter

       (Psalm 81:1, 71, 10, 16b; antiphon: 1 Peter 2:2a)

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 19:1-25; Hebrews 13:1-21 

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." (From the Introit for the Second Sunday of Easter) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As you read through various narratives in the Old Testament, it's easy to see that when God is saving His people He is also feeding them. As the Israelites were being delivered from their slavery to Egypt, the Lord gave clear instructions as to how they would be fed. In Exodus 12 the Lord established the Passover meal for His people. They were about to be freed from their slavery under Pharaoh, and in preparation the Lord told them to take an unblemished lamb and kill it. They were to paint the doorposts of their houses with the blood of the lamb and they were also to eat. The Lord told them; "In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover." 

Throughout the generations of Israel, God's people were to remember their deliverance from Egypt and how the Lord fed them at the same time. Each Sunday we gather around the Word of God where we are reminded of how Jesus our Lamb was slain for us and for our salvation. God has brought us out of our slavery to sin as we have been washed clean in the blood of Jesus. In the same way, the Lord feeds us in the midst of our salvation. We come to the Lord's table to partake of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the whole world. We eat as strangers and sojourners in this world as we follow the great Exodus out of this world and into the Promised Land prepared for us by Jesus. 

Until that time comes for you, remember the Lord's salvation for you in the Cross and resurrection of Jesus. Open your mouth wide so that He may feed you with Himself the bread of everlasting life which forgives you and strengthens you in body and soul until life everlasting. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, You have given Yourself to us in this holy Sacrament. Keep us in Your faith and favor that we may live in You even as You live in us. May Your body and blood preserve us in the true faith to life everlasting. Hear us for the sake of Your name. Amen. (Prayer of Thanksgiving after receiving the Sacrament)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 18:5-27; Hebrews 12:1-24 

Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Leaven is yeast, which in baking makes dough rise. If you have ever made bread or rolls with yeast in them, you know that you only use a little bit of yeast. But when you put it into the lump of dough and give it time, it works its way through the entire lump and makes it expand to twice its original size, or more. 

This idea of leaven became a common metaphor in the Bible for the corrupting influence of sin. Paul's point is that a relatively small amount of sin, even one sin, if it is not dealt with properly, can spread its influence throughout an entire church. Paul is reminding us of this constant battle that we have against sin within the Church. It doesn't take much guilt and shame caused by sin to bring a Christian down. In the same way, it doesn't take much sin to bring an entire church down. 

However, the Church remains the Body of Christ by faith and has been made alive by the Holy Spirit through our Baptisms into Christ. In His second letter to the Corinthians, Paul will remind them that in Christ we are new creations. The old things have passed away. All things have become new. Specifically, what makes us "new" is the presence of Christ as He comes to His Church through Word and Sacrament. The Holy Spirit is the One who applies the saving work of Christ to us and strengthens our faith against the leaven of sin and evil. That is your position in Christ. Paul says "You really are unleavened." You really are righteous and holy in Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

O holy and most merciful God, You have taught us the way of Your commandments. We implore You to pour Your grace into our hearts. Cause it to bear fruit in us that, being ever mindful of Your mercies and Your laws, we may always be directed to Your will and daily increase love toward You and one another. Enable us to resist all evil and to live a godly life. Help us to follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to walk in His steps until we shall possess the kingdom that has been prepared for us in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for obedience to the Word)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.