TDP: October 14;
Original Broadcast: Tuesday; 2008-10-14;
Matthew 12:38-41;
'Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered [Jesus], saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. (Matthew 12:38-41, ESV)
After all that these men had seen Jesus do they want another sign from him. But he won't give one. Everything necessary has been done and shown. Jesus points them back to God's Word. "Remember Jonah?" he says. "That's all the sign that's needed. Just as Jonah really spent three days in the darkness of a fish's belly, the Son of Man (that's me) will spend three days and nights in the darkness of the earth." What exactly is the sign of Jonah that Jesus is talking about? Well it isn't only that Jonah was three days good as dead swallowed by a giant fish and given life again, but that the Ninevehites heard God's Word, repented of their sins and were saved. Jonah was forsaken by God and rescued; people had faith in God's Word and were saved. Jesus says something greater than Jonah is here. Everywhere he goes people repent of their sin, have faith in God's forgiveness are saved. Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, he rose again on the third day. He has done all this for you. Your sins are forgiven. Remember Jesus.
Let us pray: Dearest Jesus, you have forgiven my sin by your life, death and resurrection. Thank you for your gift. Amen.
Devo ID: 7
(0 ratings) TDP: October 13;
Original Broadcast: Monday; 2008-10-13;
Deuteronomy 11:26-28, 31-32;
'"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known. For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you. And when you possess it and live in it, you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the rules that I am setting before you today. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28, 31-32, ESV)
Curses and blessings. Obey God's commands and have his blessing disobey and receive his curse. This is what God told the people of Israel as they waited to cross the Jordan River into the land God promised them. It was a matter of identity. He was their God and they were his people, for no other reason than what he had done for them. He rescued them from slavery and brought them to a new land. He was their God. They were to act according to their identity. As Christians we have our identity in Jesus Christ, for no other reason than what he has done for us. Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection give to us the promise forgiveness of sin, a new home eternal life with God. We are rescued from our slavery to sin. It no longer need hold us captive. We have been forgiven through Jesus. We are heading to the promise of eternal life. God is our God, because of his promises to us in Jesus. We are to act according to our identity.
Let us pray: Gracious Savior, help me to live according to my identity as your forgiven child. Amen.
Devo ID: 6
(0 ratings) TDP: October 10;
Original Broadcast: Friday; 2008-10-10;
Matthew 11:1-19;
'Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." (Matthew 11:2-6, ESV)
Are you kidding? Offended by Jesus! Everybody likes Jesus don't they? Jesus makes deaf people hear, blind people see, lame people walk, cleanses lepers, and raises the dead. What's not to like? Well, John the Baptizer was having some second thoughts. He was in prison. He was facing death. He wasn't living his best life now. Something was different from what he expected. Things should look a bit different if God was really walking around in Jesus' sandals. Shouldn't they? Jesus gently tells him differently. God is going to work in God's way, not ours. That's important for us to remember, especially when life is difficult. Like John, we face death, we are prisoners to our sin, and very often life isn't always at its best. We wonder if Jesus is doing what he promises. Don't be offended by Jesus. God sent Jesus to forgive your sin. He was willing to die a criminal's death just for you. When things look bad, do just what John did, turn to Jesus and remember what he did for you.
Let us pray: Precious Savior, help me to see my struggles through your eyes. Amen.
Devo ID: 5
(0 ratings) TDP: November 18;
Original Broadcast: Tuesday; 2008-11-18;
Matthew 27:45-50;
'Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (Matthew 27:45-50, ESV)
"My God, My God Why?" Why indeed? Jesus looks to heaven and shouts this question to God His Father. His agony is evident. Nails pierce through his wrists and ankles. Blood flows down his arms and drips on the ground. The thorny crown sticks to his forehead through blood matted hair. His skin is ripped from the whip. We see the pain and the suffering here. But, Jesus words are not only a cry of the pain we see, he has been left alone on the cross to die. God, his Father, has turned his back and looked the other way. Jesus is forsaken. See here the true, just full, punishment for sin. This is what hell is; God turning away and leaving only punishment. Sin is no mere moral failure it is deadly serious rejection of God. God's response is clear. Why have you forsaken me? If you are left in your sin, this rejection of God is yours. But Jesus lives and dies and suffers it instead. You are free.
Let us pray: My God, My God, you have forsaken Jesus in my place. Help me to forsake my sin. Amen.
Devo ID: 32
Standard Podcasts [00:02:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (149)(0 ratings) TDP: November 17;
Original Broadcast: Monday; 2008-11-17;
Matthew 27:27-31;
'Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31, ESV)
The soldiers have made up a game. They are far from home. They take out their frustrations on Jesus. The game is called "king for a day." But this king doesn't get a real crown or robe or scepter. The ones they give are made to humiliate. They want to show that Jesus is no king at all. They use the words "King of the Jews" in dark humor. But what they say is actually true. Jesus is king. In fact, Jesus is The King. The bloody man is King of all Kings, Creator of the Universe, God in human flesh. He makes a kingdom through the forgiveness of sin. In pain and death, in courtyard and cross King Jesus does what no other king would do. He saves his people by giving himself. In his resurrection to life again he does when no other king can do. He makes a forever kingdom for you and me. Our sin is forgiven in Jesus life, death and resurrection. He is our King, and Savior.
Let us pray: Jesus, Savior, King, rule in my heart through your love. Amen.
Devo ID: 31
Standard Podcasts [00:02:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (148)(0 ratings) TDP: November 14;
Original Broadcast: Friday; 2008-11-14;
Matthew 26:36-40a;
'Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. (Matthew 26:36-40a, ESV)
The disciples of Jesus can't watch and pray with him. You might find it difficult, too. After a large meal, several glasses of Passover wine, and the blanket of late night, sleep comes easy. Jesus can't sleep. He is deeply troubled. He still has a "cup" to drink, death and punishment. While his disciples sleep, Jesus prays. He is sorrowful and troubled, afraid of the pain that is going to come to him. Death for all human beings is a fearful thing. We fear it for good reason. We suffer pain and separation, loss and doubt. Death is permanent punishment. Jesus places his death in the hands of God, "not as I will, but as you will." If only we could do that. Remember, dear Christians, Jesus changes death. He drinks your cup of hell. Death doesn't mean permanent punishment anymore. It is the gate to eternal life with Jesus instead. When the fear of death fills you, think about Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection to new life.
Let us pray: When I fear death, Dearest Jesus, remind me of your death and resurrection. Amen.
Devo ID: 30
Standard Podcasts [00:02:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (155)(0 ratings) TDP: November 13;
Original Broadcast: Thursday; 2008-11-13;
Matthew 26:26-29;
'Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:26-29, ESV)
Jesus is always concerned about forgiveness. On the night before he was crucified he gave us a meal to seal his promise of forgiveness. It was a simple meal of bread and wine. It isn't complicated to understand. The bread is broken just as Jesus body is broken on the cross. He is pierced by nails and bruised by rods. The thorns from the crown he wears imbed his scalp. The cup of wine is poured out just as his blood is spilt from the wounds in his hands and feet and side. All this, Jesus says, is for your forgiveness. When you see this simple meal you are seeing your forgiveness. It is so easy to doubt God's love and forgiveness. Every day we see the effects of sin; broken lives, broken people, broken promises. The problem is anything but simple. But Jesus erases your doubt. "Take, eat; this is my body... Drink of it ... this is my blood..." You open your mouth and receive what you need. Here is my body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins. It is simplicity in action. God gives good gifts and we receive them.
Let us pray: I come, O Savior, to Thy table, for weak and weary is my soul; Thou bread of Life, alone art able To satisfy and make me whole: Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood Be for my soul the highest good. Amen. (LSB 618:1)
Devo ID: 29
(0 ratings) TDP: November 12;
Original Broadcast: Wednesday; 2008-11-12;
Matthew 26:6-12;
'Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. (Matthew 26:6-12, ESV)
Jesus is prepared for burial. What does this woman see that no one else sees? The disciples, who have been with Jesus, look down on the woman and what she has done. "What a waste of money? Isn't there a better use for that kind of cash? People are starving in China, after all." Jesus answers in a curious way. "You will always have the poor. I'm going to leave you. She's getting me ready for my death." This unidentified woman knows Jesus is going to die. She gives him a gift because Jesus will give her a gift through his death. Her gift is a gift of worship. She sees who Jesus is and why he has come. In action, she shows her faith in Jesus as God's way of bringing her forgiveness. Jesus gift of forgiveness is ours, too. We show our faith, too when we acknowledge Jesus as our forgiveness. It is the highest form of worship to go to Jesus for the forgiveness he offers in his life, death and resurrection.
Let us pray: Savior Jesus, forgive us our sins. Amen.
Devo ID: 28
(0 ratings) Friday; 2012-05-04; Luke 11:1-4;
TDP: Friday after Easter 4;
Original Broadcast: Friday; 2009-05-08;
Luke 11:1-4;
'Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ?Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.? And he said to them, ?When you pray, say: ?Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.? (Luke 11:1-4, ESV)
Prayer is difficult. We try to find time but time gets away from us. We try to stay focused but our minds drift off. People ask us to pray for them and we forget. We have so many needs we don?t know where to begin. Prayer is difficult. ?Lord, teach us to pray!? We say. And Jesus answers. He knows exactly what we need. He tells us what to pray for. He tells us how to do it. Jesus prayer is simple and memorable. He gives us the very words to say. ?Our Father?? The Lord?s Prayer is the perfect prayer. Jesus wants us to say it. Pray it when time is short. Say it when you are distracted. Pray it when you don?t know what else to say. Say it with your friends who ask you to pray. Pray it when your need is great or when you need is small.
Let us pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day or daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Devo ID: 132
(0 ratings) TDP: Thursday after Easer 4;
Original Broadcast: Thursday; 2009-05-07;
Luke 10:38-42;
'Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord?s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ?Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.? But the Lord answered her, ?Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.? (Luke 10:38-42, ESV)
There is so much to do, and so little time. Hungry to feed. Homeless to shelter. Sick to care for. A planet to protect. How can we get it all done? The church budget is small. Volunteers are getting scarce. How can we do what God wants us to do? ?Martha, Martha,? Jesus says. He says your name in this way too. ?Serving others is a good and necessary thing. But don?t forget, the thing that is really necessary is for you to hear my Word.? It is easy to get distracted by doing good stuff instead of hearing about what Jesus has to say. Someone said, ?keep the main thing, the main thing.? The main thing is Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of your sin. It is the one thing necessary. Focus on Jesus and the rest will fall into place.
Let us pray: We get detracted from you, Our Savior. Keep us faithful. Amen.
Devo ID: 131
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