"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have 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)
Day 314 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 17:1-15; Psalm 119:33-40; Mark 16:1-20)
DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS CONSEQUENCES
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:14-16 ESV)
I tend to be optimistic. I usually would gravitate toward the positive aspects in today’s reading. However, as the picture indicates, I have chosen the negative, or the Law portions, to focus on.
Just as Jesus is about to Ascend into heaven, He rebukes His disciples for their refusal to believe the eye-witness accounts of His resurrection. This is interesting since they had experienced a change of heart after numerous first-hand encounters with their risen Lord. They were now prepared to share the good news that death had been defeated on Good Friday and that real hope is manifest for all mankind.
Jesus directs their resurrection faith toward others as He commands them to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
What he says next is both good news and bad news, both Gospel and Law. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The world desperately needs to hear these words, for without saving faith in Jesus, nothing but eternal punishment in hell awaits. DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD ALWAYS BRINGS CONSEQUENCES! Surely we can all agree that damnation is far worse than rebuke.
May we take the rebuke seriously and live each day as “Easter people,” proclaiming in word and deed that CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! Now that is a most optimistic message! We find that same optimism in this Easter hymn written by C.F. Walther:
He’s risen, He’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened death’s prison, incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
While earth, sea, and mountain their praises prolong.
The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
But short was their triumph, the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes;
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high.
He lives, yes, He lives, and will nevermore die.
Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.
Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;
With Father and Spirit, He ever shall reign. Amen.
(“He’s Risen, He’s Risen,” Lutheran Service Book #480)
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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