May 27, 2025

Today's Reading: Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 9:1-23; Luke 16:1-18

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.” (Revelation 21:23-25)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“Katy, bar the door!”

Where does that phrase come from? No one really knows. If you want, you can try to follow that rabbit hole, but it’s probably not worth it. It is fun to say, though: “Katy, bar the door!”  What does it mean? Danger is coming! Shut the gates! Lock the doors! Doom is impending!

Why do we shut gates? To keep the bad things out! The gates are shut at night when darkness rules. We batten down the hatches on the ship when the storm is coming. We tie down the tent when the wind picks up. We secure things so they aren’t destroyed. We shut and lock the gates at night to keep the cold, the dark, and the scary things out. 

But the gates will not need to be shut any longer. That’s what St. John tells us as he sees a picture of the New Creation. There, he sees a city with wide open gates that will never be shut because “there will be no night there.” No night, no darkness, no cold, no scary things. “Death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)  The former things have passed away. They are gone. That’s the promise. That’s why Jesus died. That’s why Jesus was raised. That’s why Jesus ascended. That’s why Jesus will come again.

The hatches won’t need to be battened down. Katy won’t need to bar the door! The gates will be open. Sin, death, and the devil will no longer be a threat. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? No darkness that will cause us to stumble when we walk. No terrors of the night. No devil prowling around like a lion seeking to devour. No sin crouching at our door.  

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Wide Open Stand the gates adorned with pearl, While round God’s golden throne The choirs of saints in endless circles curl, And joyous praise the Son! They watch Him now descending To visit waiting earth. The Lord of Life unending Brings dying hope new birth! (LSB 639:1)

- 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.