Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Thursday, March 28, 2024 - A VERY FULL EVENING

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Day 88  

A VERY FULL EVENING

Today is Maundy Thursday, a very full day for our Lord Jesus as He fulfills His soul-saving mission. 

The name Maundy comes from the Latin, mandatum, translated “command.” After washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus gave us this command:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

Next, our Lord further shows His love for us by instituting Holy Communion in which He serves us His body and blood. What precious treasures He offers us here:

Forgiveness of sins
Communion with God and with His people
Assurance of His constant presence with us
Preview of the heavenly banquet 

The scene then switches to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays:

And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  (Mark 14:35-36 ESV)

Judas then arrives and betrays Jesus!

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Matthew 26:47-50 ESV)

Peter reacts:

51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:51-53 ESV)

The disciples all flee and Jesus is dragged off to face a Jewish kangaroo court. It is here that Peter denies that he even knows Jesus, and he does this three times.

74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:74-75 ESV)

1. Go to dark Gethsemane, 
    All who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
    Your Redeemer’s conflict see. 
    Watch with Him one bitter hour;
    Turn not from His griefs away; 
    Learn from Jesus Christ to pray.

2. Follow to the judgment hall, 
    View the Lord of life arraigned;
    Oh, the wormwood and the gall! 
    Oh, the pangs His soul sustained!
    Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss; 
    learn from Him to bear the cross.

3. Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb; 
    There, adoring at His feet,
    Mark that miracle of time, 
    God’s own sacrifice complete.
    “It is finished!” hear Him cry; 
    Learn from Jesus Christ to die.

4. Early hasten to the tomb 
    Where they laid His breathless clay;
    All is solitude and gloom. 
    Who has taken Him away?
    Christ is ris’n! He meets our eyes. 
    Savior, teach us so to rise.
    (“Go To Dark Gethsemane” LSB 436)

Lord Jesus, thank You for the blessings You gave us on Maundy Thursday. May the Holy Spirit lead me to follow You this Holy Week and always. Amen.

“See” you in church tonight!

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 - HOLY WEDNESDAY


"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 - Day 87 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Joshua 21,22; Luke 6:1-26)

HOLY WEDNESDAY

Although scripture doesn't affirm what the Lord did on Holy Wednesday, theologians consider that after two days in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples used this day to rest in Bethany in expectation of Passover.

It is traditionally believed that Judas agreed to betray Jesus on the Wednesday before Easter Sunday.

"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him." (Matthew 26:14-16)

"Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money." (Luke 22:1-5)

Judas, what a sad story! Yet he played a huge role in Jesus’ story. Therefore, he also played a huge role in your story. The betrayal of Jesus was necessary because it put things in motion for His death on the cross in payment for your sins.

  On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, 
  The emblem of suffering and shame;  
  And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
  For a world of lost sinners was slain.  
  So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 
  'Til my trophies at last I lay down; 
  I will cling to the old rugged cross, 
  And exchange it some day for a crown.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for turning Your betrayal into the ultimate good for sinners like me. Thank You for the promise of a crown in eternity with You. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - HOLY TUESDAY


"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - Day 86 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Joshua 19,20; Luke 5:17-39)

HOLY TUESDAY

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:32-37) 

On Holy Tuesday Jesus left Jerusalem and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the city. There Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse, an extensive revelation about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He speaks, as usual, in parables, using symbolic language about the end times events, including His Second Coming and the final judgment. His conclusion is excellent advise for us today as well:

“And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
    
   1. My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me,
Love to the loveless shown  That they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I That for my sake
My Lord should take Frail flesh and die?

   2. He came from His blest throne  Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none  The longed-for Christ would know.
But, oh, my friend, My friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend!

   7. Here might I stay and sing, No story so divine!
Never was love, dear King, Never was grief like Thine.
This is my friend, In whose sweet praise
I all my days  Could gladly spend!
(“My Song Is Love Unknown,” Lutheran Service Book #430)
Click to hear this beautiful Lenten hymn:

Lord Jesus, as I journey through this life, please help me to stay awake so that I am ready for Your Second Coming. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Monday, March 25, 2024 - HOLY MONDAY

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Monday, March 25, 2024 - Day 85 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Joshua 16-18; Luke 5:1-16)

HOLY MONDAY

18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  (Matthew 21:18-22 ESV)

How did Jesus occupy His time from Palm Sunday until Maundy Thursday? He drove the money changers out of the temple (Matthew 21:12-17). And then we have Holy Monday. What do we learn from Jesus encounter with the barren fig tree? 

1. The nation of Israel and their leaders we spiritually barren.

2. We remember that while we are saved by faith in Jesus and not by our works, faith is never alone.

 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

3. God promises to answer our prayers.

  22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” 

And what is the ultimate focus of our faith? 

 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

As we journey toward Good Friday, may we remember all that Christ has done for us.

Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding me that I cannot save myself. Please further reminder me that my faith in You will show in my life as I bear fruit for You by helping others in Your name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Sunday, March 24, 2024 - IMMEDIATE HEALING

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, March 24, 2024 - Day 84 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Joshua 14,15; Luke 4:33-44)

IMMEDIATE HEALING

“And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.”  (Luke 4:38-39 ESV)

Peter’s mother-in-law was ill, perhaps seriously ill. “They appealed to him (Jesus) on her behalf.” Most likely this is referring to Peter and Mrs. Peter. They did what God’s children are told to do.

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)

Did you notice that Christ’s healing is immediate and complete?

“And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.” 

When our DIVINE PHYSICIAN grants healing to us today, many times it involves an extended period of rehab, often spent away from home in a facility that specializes in this crucial part of the healing process. Not so with Jesus. He heals the woman, and immediately she gets to work.

While we don’t often see that kind of complete healing immediately granted to us, we can look forward to exactly that kind of immediate healing from all of life‘s woes.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4 ESV)

Yes, the healing of heaven and the beginning of eternal life will be complete and immediate for the believer in Christ... THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for answering my prayers for healing in a way that is best for me. Thank You even more, for promising me that the best is yet to come for all who repent and believe. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

Friday, March 22, 2024

Saturday, March 23, 2024 - JESUS IS THE ONE


"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Saturday, March 23, 2024 - Day 83 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Joshua 11-13; Luke 4:1-32)

JESUS IS THE ONE

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll (Isaiah) and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  (Luke 4:18-21 ESV)

When Jesus returned home to Nazareth, His first stop was the local synagogue where He shared the words of today’s devotion. His concluding words let His hearers know that He is the One, the promised Messiah. Look again at what the Messiah came to do.

● Proclaim good news to the poor.
● Proclaim liberty to the captives.
● Provide recovery of sight to the blind.
● Set at liberty those who are oppressed.
● Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

Jesus did come to proclaim the mercy of His Father to the poor, captive, blind and oppressed. However, the ultimate mission His Father sent Him on involved a cross, and bitter suffering and death as our substitute. We now receive the Lord’s favor through faith in Jesus who has set us free, liberating us from sin, death and the devil. 

   1. Upon the cross extended
See, world, your Lord suspended,
Your Savior yields His breath.
The Prince of Life from heaven
Himself hath freely given
To shame and blows and bitter death.

   4. I caused Your grief and sighing
By evils multiplying
As countless as the sands.
I caused the woes unnumbered
With which You soul is cumbered,
Your sorrows raised by wicked hands.

   5. Your soul in griefs unbounded,
Your head with thorns surrounded,
You died to ransom me.
The cross for me enduring,
The crown for me securing,
You healed my wounds and set me free.

   7. Your cross I place before me;
Its saving pow'r restore me,
Sustain me in the test.
It will, when life is ending,
Be guiding and attending
My way to Your eternal rest.
(“Upon the Cross Extended,” Lutheran Service Book #453)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being the promised One, the Messiah, my Lord and Savior. May all that I do and say today glorify Your name and be used by the Holy Spirit to witness to others. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow morning or tonight!

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Friday, March 22, 2024 - PLEASED WITH JESUS


"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Friday, March 22, 2024 - Day 82 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Joshua 9,10; Luke 3)

PLEASED WITH JESUS

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  (Luke 3:21-22 ESV)

God the Father speaks at the Baptism of His Son. 

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  

The Father was pleased with Jesus that day, and He was pleased with His Son when He spread out His arms on the cross and fulfilled the Father’s plan for the salvation of the world!

Hear all about the Father’s great plan for your salvation when you read your Bible today and when you attend church next weekend. When you are reminded again of all that Jesus has done for you, you, too, will be pleased with Him.

   1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

   3. This is He whom seers in old time
Chanted of with one accord,
Whom the voices of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
(“Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” LSB 384)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for pleasing Your Father by following His amazing plan for the salvation of the world. Thank You for forgiving me and for preparing my place in heaven for me. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.