(Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 16:1-36; Psalm 119:17-24; Mark 15:1-20)
And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:14-15 ESV)
Not much is known about Barabbas other than that he was a murder who had participated in a Jewish uprising against Roman tyranny (Luke 23:19). Nothing is known of how he responded to being released instead of Jesus. We can only imagine his relief to find himself free... free from the just penalty for his crimes.
This is exactly what Jesus has done for you and me. He has taken our place and paid the price for our insurrection against God. Hanging on the cross, Christ cried out the words that should be on our lips eternally in hell: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 ESV)
This is so hard to understand.
● How could God the Father love sinners like us so much that He would send His only Son to the cruel cross?
● How could Jesus love us so much that He would take the terror of hell on Himself so that all people of all time could go free?
It was just mentioned that all people could go free because of Jesus and His cross. All could, but few do. Jesus paid the price for the sins of all people. We who have been given the wonderful gift of faith, forgiveness and the promise of heaven have a job to do: “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 16:15-16 ESV)
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrow, heals our wounds,
And drives away our fear.
O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my life, my way, my end,
Accept the praise I bring.
How weak the effort of my heart,
How cold my warmest thought!
But when we see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath;
And may the music of The name
Refresh my soul in death!
(“How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds,” Lutheran Service Book #524)
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You so much for taking my place and for freeing me from the punishment I deserve. Fill me with such thankfulness for this gift, and with such love for those who do not have it, that I live the rest of my life sharing Your great love with as many of them as I can. Amen.
Remember what Jesus has done for you, and share Him with others today!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
(Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 15:16-29; Psalm 119:9-16; Mark 14:43-72)
And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72 ESV)
We can be so much like Peter, proud, boastful, so sure of ourselves. Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. (Mark 4:29-31 ESV)
Our sinful nature rears it ugly and untrustworthy head, and down we go. “I don’t know Jesus” comes flying out of our mouths too. We give in to our fears and our love of sin, leaving our Lord betrayed and denied once again. AND THEN THE ROOSTER CROWS!
However, the narrative does not end with us breaking down in tears with roosters crowing around us. Instead, the risen Christ appears to us every day, just as He did for Peter, calling us to repent a believe.
What is most amazing is that our Lord Jesus forgives our denials and mercifully restores our relationship with Him! And that, in truth, makes us BLESSED BY THE LORD in the most overwhelming manner!
Thank you Lord Jesus, for having mercy on me and forgiving the many times I have denied You! Please help me this day to be much more faithful to You and to share Your mercy with others. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
Day 310 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 15:1-15; Psalm 119:1-8; Mark 14:22-42)
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)
He was in agony. His bitter suffering that would lead to His innocent and cruel death had begun. His sweat was like drops of blood. The emotional and spiritual burden was almost unbearable. So Jesus prayed for relief. There are several important truths revealed here.
● Jesus truly suffered for us!
● God the Father’s plan for the salvation of sinful mankind would be fulfilled.
● We learn how to pray, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
This is exactly what He teaches us in the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
It goes against our selfish human nature to submit our will to someone other than ourselves. But look at how it turned out for Jesus,“who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
The Father’s will is your salvation. Follow Him. Obey Him. Trust Him. Love Him.
Lord Jesus, thank You for drinking the bitter cup of suffering for my sake. Please help me to see the wisdom of yielding to the Father’s will in my life as well. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
Day 309 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 14:1-17; Psalm 118; Mark 14:3-21)
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." (Mark 14:22-24 ESV)
What a precious gift the Lord instituted on the night when He was betrayed! In, with and under simple bread and wine, the Lord feeds us sinners His very body and blood.
In my years of service as a pastor, I have observed how deeply God’s people are moved with the forgiveness and the strengthening of their faith that the Lord bestows in this meal.
O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish.
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!
(O Lord, We Praise Thee, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #617)
Lord, may Your body and Your blood be for my soul the highest good. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
Day 308 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14; Psalm 117; Mark 13:24-14:2)
Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 117 NIV)
The news sure isn’t very uplifting these days, is it? Every week there are more terrorist attacks on innocent civilians. Every week we read about someone else acting in an unkind way toward another person... and more violent attacks on our police.
Back in 1965, Jackie DeShannon had a hit song that resonated with a lot of people. “What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love.” Yes, love is the answer to our war-torn and sin-sick world. The Psalmist knew this when he wrote: “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”
It is the enduring and saving love of Jesus that is needed by every breathing soul on the face of the earth. So, “praise the Lord, all nations! Extol (honor and glorify) him, all peoples.”
The whole world needs to repent and trust in Jesus. He is the answer to the evil we see all around us and in us!
Praise Him for His grace and favor
To His people in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
(“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven," Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #793, stanza 2)
Lord, thank You for giving me what I really need in Jesus. Please reach those who do not know You yet, because what the world really needs is You.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
Day 307 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 12:19-40; Psalm 116; Mark 13:1-23)
“But be on your guard... And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:9&13 ESV)
Jesus warns us, “But be on your guard.” He highlights some very negative things we Christians will face in the last days. He concludes with a statement that is the opposite of what we would like to hear: “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake.”
Most people would prefer to the words of an old Beatles hit. “All you need is love.”
The truth is, human love is not all we need. All we really need is Jesus. He is the only One everyone needs. He alone is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. Jesus is the only One who died for sinners like us. May you be blessed as you take His encouragement to heart.
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Dear Lord Jesus, help me to endure to the end no matter how hard it gets. Remind me that even if others may hate me, You will always love. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
Day 306 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 12:1-18; Psalm 115; Mark 12:28-44)
“May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 115:15 NIV)
How are you today? For years, the answer from members of the congregations I have been privileged to serve has been: “blessed by the Lord.” We regularly express these blessings when we confess our Christian faith on Sunday mornings...
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord...
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. (The Apostles’ Creed)
The greatest blessing from the Lord is the gift of being included in His family, the Christian Church. Through faith in Jesus you are promised the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Lord, thank You for the gift of family. Above all, thank You for making a part of Your forever family, the Christian Church. In the saving name of Jesus. Amen.
May YOU always be blessed by the Lord! “See” you in church tomorrow.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for 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:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 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!
