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.