May 25, 2025

Today's Reading: John 16:23-33 

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 3:1-16, 39-48; Numbers 4:1-8:4; Luke 14:25-15:10

“[Jesus said,] ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’” (John 16:33)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The next time you are in church, count how many times the word “peace” is spoken or sung. I think you’ll be surprised. “Peace” is all over the Divine Service! “In peace let us pray to the Lord…”; “Glory be to God on high and on earth peace;” “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace;” “The peace of the Lord be with you always;” “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” 

It’s even the last word you hear as the Lord places His name upon you in the benediction and sends you back out into the world: “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Why? Because in the world, you will have tribulation…people will sin against you…you will be mocked for your faith…, and your sin will cause problems. But take heart—Jesus has overcome the world.

In the midst of tribulation, amid the chaos of a broken, bent, corrupt life…Jesus gives you peace. Does that mean that life gets easy? Does it mean we won’t have arguments with our family and friends? No. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.”  But take heart: Jesus has overcome the world.

Jesus has suffered the wrath that we deserve because of our sins. He has paid the price for your friends that hurt you. He brings forgiveness and wholeness.

The peace that Jesus talks about is not a worldly peace. It’s not an absence of tribulation. It’s a peace that takes our broken world and broken lives and makes them whole with His forgiveness. This is why we come back to church week after week.  

In the world, we will have tribulation, but in the Divine Service, Jesus comes to you to give you peace. He is the Savior who comes, takes on our flesh, and brings His peace to the earth. He is the Lamb of God who gives you peace. He comes to you in, with, and under the bread and wine of His Supper and greets you with the same greeting He gave to His Disciples in the Upper Room on Easter Evening: “Peace be with you.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

- Rev. Daniel Burhop, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reese, MI.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.