Saturday, April 8, 2022 - HOLY SATURDAY

"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, April 8, 2022 - Day 98 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicle 20:24-37; Psalm 89; Luke 9:51-10:12)   

HOLY SATURDAY

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison. (1 Peter 3:18-19 ESV)

What did Jesus do on the first Holy Saturday? While we do not have a minute by minute account, we do have the words of Peter. He tells us that Jesus descended into hell.

Why did Jesus descend into hell? Some say that He had endure more suffering. However, when Jesus declared “It is finished,” he was proclaiming that His suffering was over, and that our sin is paid for.

Peter lets us in on this question. Jesus was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison. In other words, Jesus descended into hell to proclaim His victory over Satan and death.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your death on Calvary on my behalf. Thank You for defeating sin, death and the devil for me.  Amen. 

“See” you “on” 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!

Friday, April 7, 2022 - GOOD FRIDAY... ALL FOR YOU!

"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, April 7, 2022 - Day 97 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42)

GOOD FRIDAY... ALL FOR YOU!

Please click on this link to focus on what Jesus experienced that first Good Friday as He traveled the Via Delarosa for you:

https://youtu.be/xGxlQS1irns

● For the believer in Christ, sin, death and the devil were finished, defeated, and crushed once and for all when Jesus declared “IT IS FINISHED!”

● For the believer in Christ, the gates of heaven are now open and waiting.

● For the believer in Christ, reconciliation with God has been accomplished.

My Good Friday prayer for you is that you believe that Jesus died for you and that your mortal enemies of sin, death and the devil have been totally defeated for you. If so, then please join in praying this perfect responsive prayer.

What language shall I borrow

To thank Thee, dearest Friend,

For this Thy dying sorrow,

Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine for ever;

And should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never

Outlive my love for Thee. Amen.

(O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #450 

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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!

Thursday, April 6, 2023 - MAUNDY THURSDAY

"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, April 6, 2023 - Day 96 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 24:3-11; Psalm 116; Hebrews 9:11-22; Matthew 26:17-30)

MAUNDY THURSDAY

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)

Jesus was in agony that first Maundy Thursday. 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.

“See” you in church tonight!

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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!

Wednesday, April 5, 2022 - WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

"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, April 5, 2022 - Day 95 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 20:1–23; Psalm 88; Luke 9:37–50)

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV)

The major event of Holy Wednesday is Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. Although the betrayal doesn’t take place for another day, our knowledge of the impending act colors our reading of the Last Supper story, which we’ll encounter tomorrow. Here’s the short but critical scene from Wednesday of Holy Week:

Judas makes the first move. He goes to the chief priests with betrayal on his mind.

“What will you give me if I deliver Jesus to you?” 

What an evil question, right? Selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (from $200 to $600 today). What kind of man would sell out his friend for money. Did you know that we all do what Judas did every time we sin? And many times we sell Him out for far less than 30 pieces of silver. 

Thank God Jesus allowed Himself to be betrayed, arrested, beaten mercilessly, nailed to a cruel cross, and forsaken by God the Father. Jesus’ great sacrifice offers hope for  all of us who sell Him out every day.

4 What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!

The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;

The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,

Who would not know Him.

5 The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;

The sinful child of man may live in gladness;

Man forfeited his life and is acquitted;

God is committed.

(“O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken,” Lutheran Service Book #439)

Heavenly Father, I confess my many betrayals of Jesus by means of my sin. Please have mercy on me and grant me forgiveness. Bless me as I get closer to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday that I may truly appreciate what Jesus accomplished for me on those precious days. 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!

Monday, April 3, 2022 - TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

"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, April 3, 2022 - Day 93 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 20:24-37; Psalm 89; Luke 9:51-10:28)

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

According to St . Mark Jesus was very busy on the Tuesday of Holy Week.

Jesus concluded His lesson on the withered fig tree with encouragement to forgive. “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)

He put the chief priests and the scribes and the elders in their place with this conclusion: “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Mark 11:33b)

He taught the parable of the tenants (Mark12:1-12)

He set the people straight on the payment of taxes. (Mark 12:13-17) 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”  

He lets us in on some more aspects of the resurrection (Mark 12:18-27).

“25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” 

He helps us understand what is the most important commandment (Mark 12:28-34) “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

He extolled the faith of a poor yet committed widow (Mark 12:41-44) “43 Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

He gave us signs of the end. (Mark 13:3-36) “13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”     

            “37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Yes, there is much for us to learn from our Jesus as He makes His way to Calvary.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching me so much on Tuesday of Holy Week. I thank You even more for being with me right now and for teaching me to trust in You. 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!

Monday, April 3, 2022 - Monday of Holy Week

"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, April 3, 2022 - Day 93 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 20:1-23; Psalm 88; Luke 9:37-50)

Monday of Holy Week

12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:12-13 ESV)

The morning after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus returned with his disciples to Jerusalem. Along the way, he cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Some scholars believe this cursing of the fig tree represented God's judgment on the spiritually dead religious leaders of Israel. Others believe the symbolism extended to all believers, demonstrating that genuine faith is more than just outward religiosity; true, living faith will bear spiritual fruit in a person's life.

When Jesus arrived at the Temple, he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. Filled with righteous anger, He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” 

Lord Jesus, as I review the activities on what appeared to be the last week of Your life on this earth, I am impressed with how You kept focused on the things of God. Grant that I may do the same, even and especially when the future looks ominous. Grant me also the peace, comfort and inner joy that come from believing in what You accomplished when You died for me. 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!

Saturday, April 1, 2022 - HOSANNA

"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, April 1, 2022 - Day 91 - (Today’s Bible readings:  2 Chronicles 19:1-11; Psalm 87; Luke 9:21-36)

HOSANNA

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13 ESV)

As Jesus entered Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday, the jubilant people were crying out 

“Hosanna!” This is a word of praise, and it is a prayer: “Please save.”

Later this week we will witness the ultimate reason to praise Jesus as He answers our prayer for salvation by taking our place on Good Friday’s cross.

All glory, laud, and honor 

To You, Redeemer, King, 

To whom the lips of children 

Made sweet hosannas ring.

(All Glory, Laud, and Honor, REFRAIN, LSB #442)

Lord Jesus, I do celebrate You as my King. Thank You for answering my prayer for salvation. May my reception of Your body and blood this morning remind me of the price You paid for me. Hosanna! Amen. 

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

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!