Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Apostles Creed, Third Article, part 2

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 8:1-21; John 12:36b-50

In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise up me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true. (Small Catechism, Apostles Creed, Third Article)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. John 12 is a helpful reading for our devotion today as we look at the explanation of the Third Article of the Creed. Jesus is reaching the end of His public ministry. He's taught for three years, performing miracles and signs that clearly show He is the Messiah. The Spirit has worked through His teaching to draw many to faith.

Whenever the Gospel of Christ is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit accompanies it with power to draw people to faith in Christ and give them salvation. The Spirit calls people to faith, forgives their sins, enlightens them to understand the Gospel, and sanctifies them as they walk with Christ.

But whenever Jesus taught or did miracles, some people hardened their hearts and refused to believe in Him. The Spirit brought the light of Christ to them, but they loved the darkness, so they were left in their blindness. This is a good warning to us all. Let us not despise the gifts of Christ!

Thanks be to God that the gifts of Christ are still here for us all. The Word is here before you now. The Word will be proclaimed this Sunday. The forgiveness of sins is yours in Christ Jesus through the Means of Grace (the Word, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion). You can trust that He saves you by His grace. The Spirit who has drawn you to faith keeps you in the faith and showers upon you the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ.

The Spirit does this all your life. He is faithful to keep you in faith until you are home in heaven. And on the Last Day, when Christ comes again, the Spirit who has given you life in Christ will raise you from the dead. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia! Alleluia! ("For All the Saints" LSB 677, st.8)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch