Reflections

April 9, 2024 

Today's Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2

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

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Last Sunday’s Epistle reading from 1 John has a familiar couple of verses if you’re used to using Divine Service, settings One or Two. As we prepare to confess our sins, we speak responsively verses eight and nine from chapter one. But have you ever stopped to think how strange it is that Christians regularly confess our sins? 

People without faith don’t generally confess to having done anything wrong. Our sinful hearts train us from birth to justify our every action. The toddler who knocks over the lamp blames his stuffed animal. When that excuse doesn’t work, he learns to make his self-justification more believable next time. Even at ten years old, he has learned to be ready to explain why he’s done every action, just in case anyone questions him. Self-justification is such a part of our lives in this world, that we expect it from everyone. 

No one confesses to having done anything wrong, at least not in any meaningful way. People might admit to doing something that everyone else does, or something that has no actual consequences. Someone famous, when caught doing something really bad, might make an apology tour. Not because they think they did anything wrong, but it’s the price to pay to retain their fame, money, or power. 

When someone does end up doing something that they can’t justify, it breaks them. They live the rest of their lives in regret, in grief, in despair. It drives them to madness, and they believe that they are without hope, without forgiveness, without mercy, because they recognize that they have sinned, and they cannot fix that. 

But Christians confess their sins all the time, and we don’t fall into madness or despair over it. Why? Because not only do we know we have sinned, we also know that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Christ Jesus has taken all our sin away. He paid sin’s price. He died on the cross in our place. And He’s given us His perfect life in exchange. That good news overcomes our attempts of self-justification. That good news overcomes our despair. That good news is for you. And we trust our Lord enough to confess all our sins to Him, knowing that He has already forgiven all. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I lay my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us

From the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus To wash my crimson stains

Clean in His blood most precious  Till Not a spot remains. (LSB 606:1)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

April 8, 2024 

Today's Reading: Acts 4:32-35

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

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sunday’s first reading from Acts makes the early church sound perfect. Everyone shared, nobody had need, and Jesus was preached every day. If our world lived like that, a lot of our problems would be better off. Do you know how long that lasted? Three verses later, in chapter five, sin broke it. 

What’s even better than giving up everything and being taken care of completely by the Church? Giving up only part of that, and still being completely taken care of. Ananias and Sapphira had figured out how to game the system. How to get all the stuff without the same sacrifice everyone else made. The surprising part is that Peter speaks the Word of the Lord concerning their sin, and they die. As a result, “great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things.” (Acts 5:11) 

What is the First Commandment? You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. Sometimes we’ve been taught that fear means respect. But that’s really more trust, not fear. Fear is knowing that God is rightly angry over sin. Sin hurts those our Lord loves. Remaining in our sin is to continue hurting those whom God loves. We should be afraid of God because of our sin. Just as Ananias and Sapphira should have feared God before sinning the way they did. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10a)

But fear isn’t the only thing we are called to. Our Lord is angry over sin, yes. But He has also poured out all that wrath upon Christ at the cross. Jesus stood in our place, endured what our sin earned. He loves us in that He sacrificed everything for our sake. Our love isn’t the cause of our faith, it’s the result of God’s grace. We love because He first loved us. And we trust Him, because He’s shown Himself trustworthy in keeping His promises. Promises that He fulfilled in His death and resurrection. 

That’s why the early church lived the way it did. Because Christ took care of their greatest needs already. Sin, death, and the devil have been overcome. And in the middle of it all? Preaching of the resurrection of Christ. That’s what was at the center then. And it’s still at the center now. Christ crucified for you. Christ risen for you. Christ forgiving your every sin. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence  And with fear and trembling stand;  Ponder nothing earthly minded,  For with blessing in His hand  Christ our God to earth descending  Comes our homage to demand. 

(LSB 621:1)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

April 7, 2024

Today's Reading: John 20:19-31

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

…Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (John 21:19b-20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Scars tell a story. I got a new scar on my chest not long ago. I had gallstones, one the size of a golf ball. That’s got quite a story behind it. Others have scars on their arms, legs, faces, and those come with stories too. Some of them are entertaining. But some of them are difficult stories, with a lot of pain behind them. And for some, the pain is still there. Those are the scars we hide. There are also some scars that we can’t see, buried deep down. Emotional scars, some of which have not fully healed. 

All of these scars tell a story. A story of when we were hurt. I’ve been asked more than once, “Will we still have our scars in the resurrection?” After all, the disciples put their hands on Jesus’ scars. And it was by those scars that we believe. But we really do want our painful scars gone. Isn’t that why Jesus came? Isn’t that why Jesus died? To make those scars that hurt us go away? 

Yet the scars of Jesus also tell a story. Scars from the whip. Scars from the nails. The scar from the spear. These tell the story of Jesus saving you. Jesus got all those scars by paying for your sins, by dying in your place, and by giving you His perfect life in exchange. 

Jesus didn’t die to take away your scars. Heal your wounds? Yes. Bear your pains? Absolutely. But those scars are too important to hide away. Too important to remove. Because scars mark the place where a wound has healed. If your wound is still open, Jesus is there to heal that wound. But when healed, the scar remains. Your scars, all of them, mark the place where Christ has healed you. They mark the place where Jesus is with you even now.

Because you share your scars with Jesus, those words, “Peace be with you,” now mean so much more. There is not a single sin that isn’t forgiven. There isn’t a single wound that can’t be healed. There isn’t a single death which hasn’t already been overcome. And every day you see that scar. Every day you feel that scar inside. Every day that scar reminds you of the painful story that goes with it. It is also a reminder that Jesus died for that. Jesus rose for that. Jesus is with you right now for that. You have His peace. 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!  (LSB 464:5)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

April 6, 2024 

Today's Reading: Psalm 105:1-5, 8; antiphon: 1 Peter 2:2-3 

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

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2-3, Antiphon for the Introit on the Second Sunday of Easter)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In tomorrow’s Introit, we are told to “long for the pure spiritual milk.” We need to be fed in our faith just as much as we need food for our bodies. That food comes from Christ. And usually, this is where we would talk about the Lord’s Supper. But our Introit does something different here. Instead of solid food, we are told to be like infants, and have milk. 

This is often compared in the New Testament to the very basics of the Christian faith. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12). As a result, you may hear fellow Christians say things like: “The death and resurrection of Jesus is the basics of the faith. We want to move on from that milk to more meaty topics.” But anything that leaves out the death and resurrection of Jesus loses the very center of what makes it Christian. Besides, spiritual milk is good for you, no matter how mature in the faith you think you are. 

Remember, the promise made to the people of Israel. They were coming into a land flowing with milk and honey. And the Lord didn’t just mean a parcel of land in the Middle East. His Church is the place where we are fed that pure spiritual milk. We live in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We never graduate from that good news. It remains at the center of our entire Christian lives. Is there meat to dig into as well? You bet! But it always returns to Christ at the center. 

After all, where else are you going to find the forgiveness of sins, given freely? Where else are you going to find life after death in the resurrection of the flesh? Where else are you going to find your salvation if not in Christ’s own work, done on your behalf? Therefore, long for the pure spiritual milk that Jesus has for you. Only with Jesus at the center can your faith grow. And He’s the one who gives the growth. By keeping you in His Word, and giving you His gifts in the sacraments. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jerusalem the Golden, With milk and honey blessed The promise of salvation, The place of peace and rest We know not, oh, we know not  What joys await us there:The radiancy of glory, The bliss beyond compare  (LSB 672:1)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

April 5, 2024 

Today's Reading: Hebrews 12:1-24

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

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1b-2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We’re not really built for endurance in our society today. We have a way out of, or away from just about any kind of suffering we can imagine. We will even avoid things that are mildly inconvenient, or mask over them by retreating to our phones for that next dopamine fix. When difficult things come, we do not know how to handle them, or what endurance even looks like. 

But our Lord built us for endurance. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) And, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11) St. Paul also says, “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame….” (Romans 5:3-5a) Or as the verse that my pastor gave me on my Confirmation day says, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer… Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

You see, there is more joy when suffering is over than can ever be achieved by running away from it. And Jesus has that in store for us, both in this life, and into the next. That’s why we confess our sins, and receive forgiveness instead of pretending we have no sin. That’s why we endure the cost of being a Christian in this pagan world, with the sure and certain hope of eternal life. And that’s why Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross. His joy was in your salvation.

After Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) on the cross, He cried out with a loud shout. I think it was a shout of joy. Because it shook the earth, tore the curtain of the temple in two, and raised the dead. But the suffering was done. He endured. Your forgiveness is won. And now, it was time to rest. 

Remember, the Lord has built you for endurance. He is the one who gives it to you. He is your founder and perfecter. And His gifts of life, forgiveness, and salvation are worth enduring all for. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!  Unto Christ our heav’nly king, Alleluia!  Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!  Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!  (LSB 457:2)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

April 4, 2024 

Today's Reading: The Lord’s Prayer

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 17:1-16, Hebrews 11:1-29

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Prayer is a conversation that God starts in His Word. This fact still surprises a lot of Christians. We tend to think that prayer is us sending our requests to God, and then hearing back nothing at all until something happens. That’s missing the very half of prayer that we need. God initiates the conversation with us. He has a lot to say to us. And it is written down in the Bible for us to read. And it’s there where the Lord teaches us how to pray. 

In Divine Service settings One and Two, the pastor says right before we all pray the Lord’s Prayer, “Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:” These words come from the disciples in Luke 11:1. Jesus tells His disciples in the very next verse, “When you pray, say:” And He gives us the Lord’s prayer. Jesus teaches us how to pray with these words. And this prayer that Jesus gave us covers everything we could possibly need. Over the next few weeks, we’ll get a chance to look at those words in depth here on Thursdays.

But our Lord teaches us to pray, not just with these words, but with all the Words of Scripture. The Psalms are also known as the prayerbook of the Church. They’re the words that the Old Testament Church prayed. They’re the words that Jesus prayed. And we still pray those words today. In those Psalms, we have prayers for all kinds of places we find ourselves in life. There are prayers of joy, prayers of sorrow, prayers for being in need, prayers for repentance, prayers for endurance, prayers for overcoming our enemies, and prayers for our enemies. 

We don’t just find prayers there either. Every place where the Lord has made a promise to us is a place where we learn how to pray. For our Lord wants us to pray to Him and ask for the things that He has promised to give. In that way, all the Bible is our prayer book. And we can expect the Lord to answer ‘yes’ when we ask for what He has promised to give. Every part of the Lord’s prayer calls upon a promise of God. And He fulfills his promises.

Therefore pray. Pray as the Lord has taught us. Pray as the Word of God teaches us. Pray, because prayer is a conversation that God starts in His Word, and He wants to talk to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

April 3, 2024 

Today's Reading: John 21:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 16:13-35, Hebrews 10:19-39

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. (John 21:7b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why does Peter throw himself into the sea? Perhaps Peter was just so excited to see Jesus that he couldn’t wait to get to shore. But the problem is they weren’t very far from shore in the first place, especially since Jesus could talk to them from it. Also, Peter isn’t mentioned in our reading today as actually getting to shore, or to Jesus. In fact, the next we hear about him, he’s getting back on the boat to bring the fish in the net. Almost like he’s avoiding Jesus. Which might be exactly the case. 

You see, Peter denied Jesus three times. And that denial hurt Peter to the core. He had been living with that sin unconfessed and unforgiven for a while now. And the longer we keep those sins hidden, the harder it is for us to give them over to Christ, who has paid for them all. In Peter’s case, it took Jesus calling him three times to feed His lambs for Peter to understand that Christ’s forgiveness covers every sin. So it’s not too difficult to see Peter, stripped for work, needing to cover his shame.

We too have sins that need forgiveness. We too have denied Jesus when we should have confessed him. We too are ashamed of what we have done. We might acknowledge that sins are forgiven, but maybe, because my sin was so bad, I’m too disgraced to join in with everyone else. We’re far more comfortable just covering everything up. Hiding from everyone, especially Jesus, lest my shame be exposed for the world to see.

But where did Peter, in all his shame end up. In water. Where is all our sin taken away? Where is all our shame clothed with Christ’s righteousness? Where is all our disgrace covered and cleansed? In water. You are baptized into the death of Jesus. By that water, and by the Word connected to that water, all your sin has been taken away. By your Baptism, Jesus forgives you completely. Every sin, no matter how bad, they’re all taken away. He died for them all. 

And this is yours. It is not earned. It is not by your own works. Jesus gives this forgiveness to you freely. He assures you that by His cross, He has paid for that sin in full. And He has sealed that promise by baptizing you…In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s own Child, I gladly say it:  I am baptized into Christ   He, because I could not pay it,

Gave my full redemption price.  Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any  That brought me salvation free  Lasting to eternity!  (LSB 594:1)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

April 2, 2024 

Today's Reading: Luke 24:36-49

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 15:19-16:12, Hebrews 10:1-18

[Jesus] said to them,“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you ever find the need to explain what Christianity is to someone who doesn’t know, here’s how I do it: There was a guy two thousand years ago who claimed to be God. To prove it, He said that they would kill Him, and on the third day He would rise from the dead. They killed Him, and on the third day, He rose from the dead. Maybe He’s right about that God thing. 

Well, that guy who rose from the dead said that the Law and the Prophets, and the Psalms, what we call the Old Testament, is all about Him. In what way? That repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations. That guy is Jesus. And what He came for was to forgive our sins. That’s why He died. Because those sins needed to be paid for. And He paid them in full for you, for me, for the world. Because we are forgiven, we are able to confess our sin, openly acknowledge it, and repent.

Do you realize just how hard that is for sinful people to do without faith? Someone might confess something that they don’t think is wrong. Or something that they think everyone else does, so there is no harm in it. But the Old Adam in our hearts cannot bear to confess anything that we can stand accused by others with. Those that have no choice but to confess that they’ve harmed others find that, apart from faith, their sanity is broken. The idol of self is shattered. Despair is all they have.

And yet Christians regularly confess such things. I, a poor miserable sinner. We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. It is the same sin confessed, but we are not broken by confessing it. Just the opposite. It is taken away, we are forgiven, and we are left with the joy of Christ. Delivering Jesus’ forgiveness to you is the joyous job of your pastor. Go to him. Confess your sins. Hear those words of Jesus from your pastor’s mouth. You are forgiven in full. That is miraculous. And that’s who Jesus is. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

If Christ had not been raised from death Our faith would be in vain, Our preaching but a waste of breath  Our sin and guilt remain  But now the Lord is ris’n indeed;  He rules in earth and heav’n  His Gospel meets a world of need—In Christ we are forgiv’n  (LSB 486:1)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

April 1, 2024 

Today's Reading: Luke 24:13-35, 36-49

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 15:1-18, Hebrews 9:1-28

And He said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. (Luke 24:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Yesterday, we heard that Jesus has conquered death by His resurrection. That’s good news for us. We no longer need to be afraid when we face death. But how do things change when it’s someone we care about who dies? The harsh reality is that everyone dies, because that’s the wages of sin. Even our loved ones die, whether that ’s today, or a day down the road. And that day hurts so badly that we often don’t know what to do next. Death is our enemy. Death is what attacks us like this. And on our own we have no defense. Sad feels like too light a word to describe what Cleopas and his friend were enduring. Sad is too light a word when we are grieving.

But Jesus doesn’t leave us alone when death comes near. He joins us on the road. He weeps with us (John 11:35). He comforts us (John 14:27). And He does something about it. Jesus enters into death in our place. Jesus dies for our sins. So that on the third day, Jesus’s resurrection would be an end to death, and a promise of our resurrection, and the resurrection of those we love in the faith unto eternal life. 

But that promise isn’t just for sometime down the road. It’s also for today. What does Jesus do with Cleopas and the other disciple? “He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.” If those words sound familiar, they should. It’s the same language used in the Words of Institution at the Lord’s Supper. Many Churches have communion rails that are in the shape of a semicircle. It’s that way for a reason. When we receive the Lord’s Body and Blood, we do so with the whole Church. Not just the whole Church on earth. But all those who have died in the faith as well. We are with them even now, gathered around the rail, receiving Jesus. Jesus comforts us in our grief, both now, and in the hope of the resurrection.

Death will still try its hardest to be our enemy in this world. Its attacks still hurt more than we can bear. But not even death can stop Jesus from bringing His resurrection and His hope to us, through His Word, through His baptism, and through His body and blood. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Who are you who joins our journey,  Walking with us stride by stride?  Unknown Stranger, can You fathom  Depths of grief for one who died? Then the wonder! When we told You  How our dreams to dust have turned, Then You opened wide the Scriptures  Till our hearts within us burned.  (LSB 476:2)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House. 

March 31, 2024 

Today's Reading: Mark 16:1-8 

Daily Lectionary:Exodus 14:10-31, Hebrews 7:23-8:13

“You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” (Mark 16:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you haven’t noticed, death is the one thing our whole world is running away from. We hide death away in hospitals and nursing homes so no one can see it. We ignore death when it rears its head in public. Many times, we don’t even pay attention when it is our own family that is dying. We’re so afraid of it, that we can’t even look death in the eye when it’s right in front of our faces, unless we dress it up as something it isn’t. We are afraid. We’re afraid because we are powerless against death. And no one has ever beaten it…

Except One.

And that One changed everything. Mary, Mary, and Salome were looking for a dead Jesus. But they don’t find Him in the tomb. Instead they are told that He is not here. He is not in the grave. He is not dead. He is risen. Jesus lives! What does this mean? It means that death has been overcome. Not just for Jesus, but for all people. The grave is not the end. The thing that we’re the most afraid of has been conquered. And that changes everything.

Resurrection is now on the table. Jesus died and then rose for you. Jesus gives you His resurrection. It is yours. All the things we feared about death no longer have any bite to them. We no longer need to ignore death, or ignore those who are dying. We can look death in the eye and not be afraid, because we have a Savior that is stronger than even death itself. Even if death does take us or those we loved, it can’t hold anyone for long. The day is coming when all will rise. The faithful will enter into eternal life with Christ, and the unfaithful will be judged, but death will no longer have a single trophy to mount on its mantlepiece. 

That’s how big the resurrection of Jesus is. Our enemy, death, has been defeated by Christ. That’s why Easter Sunday is so central to the Church. Death can no longer be our end. Even when we die. And that’s why every Sunday is a little Easter. This news is so big, it’s the center of our faith. This is the day Jesus rose. This is the day we receive the promise of His resurrection. All because Jesus lives! He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus lives! And now is death - But the gate of life immortal;  This shall calm my trembling breath -  When I pass its gloomy portal. Faith shall cry, as fails each sense: -Jesus is my confidence! (LSB 490:5)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

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

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.