#19 - Hymn 469 – Welcome, Happy Morning

“Welcome, Happy Morning” is an ancient hymn. It is one of the oldest in our hymnal. The words were written by an Italian named Venantius Fortunatus written around 590 A.D. That makes this Easter hymn over fourteen centuries old. 

Consider the countless saints who have sung this hymn from various lands, in differing circumstances, of diverse cultures, over fourteen hundred years. In our hymn of the day this Sunday, we join our voices with the numerous saints who have come before us and are now celebrating Easter in heaven. Together the unified body of Christ celebrates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ “from whom the entire family in heaven and on earth receives its name” (Ephesians 3:15).  

Verse one: “Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say; “Hell today is vanquished; heav’n is won today!” Lo, the dead is living, God forevermore! Him, their true Creator, all his works adore. (Refrain) “Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say; “Hell today is vanquished; heav’n is won today!” 

Recently I was blessed to be at the bedside of a 96-year-old World War II Navy veteran. His eyes were closed. His breathing was shallow. But his grip was still strong. I was there having a final devotion with this aged saint and his eldest son. As we talked, there was no fear of death. Only looking forward to being with Jesus. There were tears. But they were tears of joy that these last few difficult years would be over. There was pride at the accomplishments of the aged saint – with his military service, his decades of marriage, his raising of a strong Christian family. But the true pride came from receiving the grace of God through the saint’s baptism and confirmation as an adult after his children were born. It was pride in what Jesus Christ had made him to be and the reward Christ had won for him on the cross and out of the grave. A reward that was mere hours away from being given from Christ to his blood-bought saint. 

We can sing with this aged saint, his family, and all the saints who have come before us and are now resting from their labors, “Welcome, happy morning!” Every morning as a child of God is a welcome one. Even when life is difficult, when work is hard, when health is poor, or when death steals another loved one away from us, we can still welcome each day as being a happy day. What could be bad about it?! Jesus Christ has crushed the Ancient Serpent. He has defeated death. He has conquered the grave. He has vanquished hell. And he has opened heaven to all who believe in him.  

Verse two: Maker and Redeemer, life and health of all, God from heav’n beholding human nature’s fall, of the Father’s Godhead you, the only Son, mankind to deliver manhood did put on. (Refrain) 

In the second verse, the author identifies who Jesus is. He is both our Maker and Redeemer. He is the One who made us and the One who bought us back when the devil stole us away from our Maker in the Garden (Colossians 1:16; Job 19:25). Jesus is a member of the Godhead, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Together, our three-in-one God works to save sinful mankind. Through his incarnation the Son of God put on humanity to save sinful humans. “Since the children share flesh and blood, [Christ] also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).  

Verse three: Source of all things living, you came down to die, plumbed the depths of hell to raise us up on high. Come, then, true and faithful, come, fulfill your word; this is your third morning— rise, O buried Lord. (Refrain) 

With beautiful imagery, the author describes how the Son of God descended first from heaven to earth. He came down to die. Then after his third day resurrection, he descended to the depths of hell to declare his victory to the face of the devil and his demons. He descended to hell and then forty days later ascended to heaven. He ascended so we might ascend to heaven upon our resurrection from the grave.  

Verse four: Free the souls long prisoned, bound with Satan’s chain; all that now is fallen raise to life again. Show your face in brightness; shine in ev’ry land as in Eden’s garden when the world began. (Refrain) “Welcome, happy morning!” age to age shall say; “Hell today is vanquished; heav’n is won today!” 

When the United States finally entered World War II, many people – including Winston Churchill – reveled in the outcome that the Allies’ victory was now certain. The Allies remembered what happened when America joined the conflict in World War I. “Welcome, Happy Morning” treats the resurrection of Christ in the same way. The souls imprisoned and bound by Satan will be freed and released. The victory is won. The outcome is certain. It’s just a matter of time when the victory is seen, felt, and experienced. So, celebrate this morning, celebrate every morning, saying, “Hell today is vanquished; heav’n is won today!” 

#18 - Hymn 552 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Above the altar at our Water of Life Racine Campus is a beautiful stained-glass window of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He is holding two lambs in his arms. A dozen sheep are close by. A blue stream and verdant hills are in the background.  

With that image in front of our worshipers for decades, the majority of the saints from our church have asked me to preach on either John 10 – the Good Shepherd chapter – or Psalm 23 – the Lord is my Shepherd chapter.  

“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” paraphrases Psalm 23 in poetry that is then paired with a traditional Irish melody from the 18th century.  

Verse one: The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness fails me never; I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever. 

“The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). This is the theme of the whole psalm. Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want for anything – I will lack nothing! No uncertainty should frighten us. Old Testament shepherds did not have fancy fences like we have in our country and frequently the shepherd spent day and night with his sheep in the field. He would doctor the sheep, bind up their wounds, carry the little lambs in his arms. At nighttime he would bring them into a cave and lie down in front of the opening to protect them from wolves or other predators which might try to attack them. He was ready to lay down his life for his sheep. 

The Lord has this type of love, even deeper still for us. We cannot really understand the 23rd Psalm apart from John 10 where Jesus says of himself: “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus came to heal our sicknesses, to bind up our wounds and to carry the little children in his loving arms. He came to protect us from the most vicious enemies such as sin, death and the devil. In his love he gave his life to protect us from them. His goodness fails us never.  

Verse two: Where streams of living water flow, my Savior gently leads me, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feeds me. 

“He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2).  

Jesus exchanges this temporary, earthly beauty for a permanent, idyllic outdoor setting of green pastures and quiet waters. It is a new home that was prepared for all the Good Shepherd’s lambs and sheep when Jesus laid down his life on the cross and then he had his lifeless body laid in the tomb, and then when he powerfully brought that body back to life again on Easter morning. 

Verse three: Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me and on his shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me. 

“Perverse and foolish” isn’t a flattering description, but unfortunately it is an accurate one. In our fallen, sinful state, we are perverse and foolish. Even though we know the Word and will of God, we often choose instead to follow our own sinful desires and listen to the tempting voices of the world around us.  

Yet we have a Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine other sheep to search for the lost, perverse, and foolish single sheep. The King of love seeks out each wandering sheep and gently lays it across his shoulders – shoulders that once bore the cruel weight of the cross for us. “He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).  

Verse four: In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with you, dear Lord, beside me, your rod and staff my comfort still, your cross before to guide me. 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Jesus walks with his saints through the dark valley of death. He isn’t a hired hand who flees when he sees trouble or death approaching. Jesus has already walked through this dark valley of death himself. He knows the way because he walked through it with his own death on the cross. He knows every inch of this dark valley.  

Verse five: You spread a table in my sight, a banquet here bestowing; your oil of welcome, my delight; my cup is overflowing! 

David had been a shepherd before he was anointed to be king. The picture David uses in Psalm 23 to illustrate God’s care for his people shifts from the more figurative picture of a shepherd to the more literal picture of a king. “You set a table for me in the presence of my foes. You drench my head with oil. My cup is overflowing” (Psalm 23:5). This is an easy transition because ancient Near Eastern kings were often called the shepherds of their people. A king invited his most honored associates to live in his palace. The king would spread out rich banquet tables at which the members of his court could feast. The King of Love sets out a feast in heaven for those he loves – for those whom he loved enough to suffer, die, rise, and ascend into heaven. 

Verse six: And so through all the length of days your goodness fails me never; Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise within your house forever! 

The 23rd Psalm concludes with a familiar and comforting thought: “Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6). The psalmist is not referring to a place as much as he is to a Person. Notice that the 23rd Psalm begins and ends with “the Lord.” As believers, we long to be in the Lord’s house because then we can be in our Lord’s presence. The ultimate goal of our lives on this earth will be to receive a face-to-face relationship with our Lord for eternity. Instead of vague uncertainty about the afterlife, we have confidence. We Christians will enjoy a never-ending fellowship with God the moment we draw our last earthly breath. What assurance! That is exactly what Jesus Christ promises those who believe in him – not merely “I hope so,” but “I know!” In our Good Shepherd we truly have everything we need.  

#17 - Hymn 675 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

“At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” is an ancient hymn. The writing of this hymn dates somewhere between the 5th and 10th centuries. It was commonly sung throughout Europe and was the hymn for Vespers during the Easter season. It continues to be sung throughout the Christian church today because it is a true gem of our hymnody. 

A quote from the Christian Worship Handbook: “The hymn abounds in references to the Pascal services, especially those of Easter Evening, when the catechumens, clothed in white, were first baptized and then confirmed, and so went to their first communion on Easter morning.” At our congregation of Water of Life of Racine and Caledonia, WI, we sing “At the Lamb’s High Feast” during the Easter Vigil between the Service of Holy Baptism and the Service of Holy Communion, after the children are baptized and before the adults are confirmed.  

If you haven’t celebrated an Easter Vigil before, the vigil is an evening service of Scripture readings and prayers the night before Easter where believers vigilantly and eagerly wait and watch for the celebration of the Savior’s deliverance. Old Testament believers waited through the night of the Passover for God to deliver them from the Egyptians. The midnight worship reported in Acts 20:7-12 is another example of late-night waiting and watching. One might say that Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve services are vigils of sorts. Coming together for a vigil helps believers practice waiting patiently for God to reveal his will in his own good time. 

The Easter Vigil is one of the most well-known, historic, and ancient rites of the Christian Church. Early records indicate that it may have been celebrated in Jerusalem already by the second century, and it soon spread to the rest of the church. 

Verse one: At the Lamb’s high feast we sing praise to our victorious King, who has washed us in the tide flowing from his piercèd side. Alleluia! 

In the Divine Service we pray, “We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament.” The Lamb’s High Feast is the Lord’s Supper. It is also the wedding supper of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. We eat and drink the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was slain once for all to wash away our sins. He is both the Host and the Meal.  

The red Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal had omitted three original verses. They have been included in our new blue Christian Worship Hymnal. These three verses fit very well for an Easter Vigil as they commemorate the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea.  

Verse two: Praise we him whose love divine gives his sacred blood for wine, gives his body for the feast— Christ the victim, Christ the priest. Alleluia! 

Verse three: Where the paschal blood is poured, death’s dread angel sheathes the sword; Israel’s hosts triumphant go thro’ the wave that drowns the foe. Alleluia! 

Verse four: Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, paschal victim, paschal bread; with sincerity and love eat we manna from above. Alleluia! 

Paschal means Passover. The blood of the paschal lamb was placed on the doorpost of the Israelite homes in Egypt and the angel would “pass over” that house and leave the firstborn unharmed. The firstborn of Israel were saved by the blood of the lamb. The Israelites were then led to the Red Sea, where they passed through the waters unharmed, but all of Egypt’s army was swallowed up and drowned. He then fed them with bread from heaven – manna – for the duration of their journey.  

This is not just the story of ancient Israel; it is our story, too. We have been saved from death and judgment by the blood of our Lamb, Jesus, and we have passed through the waters of Holy Baptism and into new life. The Lord’s Supper is our manna from above, as we are fed and nourished in the faith until we reach life everlasting. 

Verse five: Mighty Victim from the sky, hell’s fierce pow’rs beneath you lie. You have conquered in the fight, you have brought us life and light. Alleluia! 

It seems a dichotomy of terms to call Jesus both “Mighty” and “Victim.” But that’s exactly what Jesus is! He is the Victim who willingly subjected himself to the serpent’s strike, to his Father’s wrath, and to his own obedience of going to a criminal’s cross. The angels in heaven praise Jesus for this dichotomy of being a victorious Victim. They sing: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).  

Jesus brings light and immortality to light through the Gospel. “It has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10).  

Verse six: Now no more can death appall, now no more the grave enthrall; you have opened paradise, and your saints in you shall rise. Alleluia! 

Verse seven: Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy; from sin’s pow’r, Lord, set us free, newborn souls in you to be. Alleluia! 

Our comfort is that because of Christ’s Easter triumph, death can no more appall, the grave can no longer enthrall, and sin can no longer destroy. These hymn verses refer to Paul’s resurrection words in 1 Corinthians 15. “Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) 

Verse eight: Father, who the crown shall give, Savior, by whose death we live, Spirit, guide through all our days, Three in One, your name we praise. Alleluia! 

The hymn ends the way so many Christian hymns end – with a glorious doxology, praising each person of the Trinity for the resurrection blessings he gives us. What a joy to sing the song of salvation with this glorious hymn! 

#16 - Hymn 456/457 - O Sons and Daughters of the King

“O Sons and Daughters of the King” is a Latin poem from the 15th century. It was written in the style of a folk carol with refrain. It was designated to be sung for the “Salut” (solemn salutation of the Blessed Sacrament) on the evening of Easter Day. The first translation of this hymn appeared in London in 1851.  

The hymn is marvelous Easter music that captures the exuberance and festivity of the events of Easter.  

The hymn is essentially a retelling of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28 and John 20. The hymn begins at the tomb with the women on Easter morning. The angels curb the women’s fears with the announcement that Jesus is alive. Then the hymn continues in the room Easter evening as Jesus appears to the disciples and then a week later when he appears again to the disciples, but this time Thomas is with them.  

A beautiful and poignant way to reflect upon this hymn is to read the Scripture verses from the Gospels of Matthew and John and then sing the corresponding hymn verses.  

Verse one: O sons and daughters of the King, Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing, today the grave has lost its sting! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

St. Matthew records the resurrection of Jesus Christ Easter morning in Matthew 28:1-7. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, he rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook and became like dead men.  

Verse two: That Easter morn, at break of day, the faithful women went their way to seek the tomb where Jesus lay. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.  

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead! And look, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him.’ See, I have told you!” 

Verse three: An angel bade their sorrow flee, for thus he spoke unto the three, “Your Lord will go to Galilee.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

St. John records the appearance of Jesus Christ Easter evening in John 31:19-31. On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 

Verse four: That night th’ apostles met in fear; among them came their Lord most dear. And said, “My peace be with you here.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

Verse five: When Thomas afterwards had heard that Jesus had fulfilled his word, he doubted if it was the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.” 

Verse six: “Thomas, behold my side,” said he, “my hands, my feet, my body see; and doubt not, but believe in me.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

Verse seven: No longer Thomas then denied; he saw the feet, the hands, the side; “You are my Lord and God,” he cried. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Verse eight: Blessed are they that have not seen and yet whose faith has constant been; in life eternal they shall reign. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

Verse nine: On this most holy day of days to God your hearts and voices raise in laud and jubilee and praise. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

#15 - Hymn 439/440 - Christ Jesus Lay In Death’s Strong Bands

Nothing is more expected than death. Of course, none of us wants to die. We are deeply grieved when a friend dies suddenly, a family member dies unexpectedly, or a child dies tragically. But we all know that every one of us is going to die. So, nothing is more expected than death. 

Then nothing is more unexpected than a resurrection. Nobody expected Jesus to rise from the dead. Sure, God had prophesied it and Jesus had promised it. But nobody expected it. Jesus did rise, though. It is the surprise of Easter. Pilate, the Pharisees, the women, and the disciples were all surprised by Jesus’ third day resurrection. 

That surprise of Christ’s resurrection carries into a surprise of what his resurrection means for his followers. Christ’s resurrection on the third day promises a resurrection for his followers on the Last Day. Martin Luther wonderfully illustrates what Christ’s resurrection means for us in his Easter hymn “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands.” 

This is an important and historic Easter text that unfortunately wasn’t sung very often in our previous hymnal. But Luther’s text has been set to a new tune in our new hymnal with the hope of reviving its use within the Church. 

Verse one: “Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands for our offenses given; but now at God’s right hand he stands and brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be and sing to God right thankfully loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

Luther’s first verse echoes Peter preaching at Pentecost: “He is the one God raised up by freeing him from the agony of death, because death was not able to hold him in its grip” (Acts 2:24). Our Lord willingly subjected himself to the dungeon of death. He did this as an offering for our offenses. He laid down. He got up again. This simple change in posture means everything for us and for our salvation. So let us be joyful and sing loud songs of alleluia.  

Verse two: “No son of man could conquer death, such ruin sin had wrought us. No innocence was found on earth, and therefore death had brought us into bondage from of old and ever grew more strong and bold and held us as its captive. Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

Luther describes the condemnation of the Law and the consequences of sin and death: “So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). When death took us captive, we would have been forever trapped in its dungeon. 

Verse three: “Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down, his people to deliver; destroying sin, he took the crown from death’s pale brow forever. Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns; an empty form alone remains; its sting is lost forever. Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

Verse four: “It was a strange and dreadful strife when life and death contended. The victory remained with life; the reign of death was ended. Holy Scripture plainly says that death is swallowed up by death; its sting is lost forever. Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

Death tried to trap Jesus, too. What a victim it could claim if it could hold the Lord of Life! But it couldn’t! Jesus is no victim. He’s the Victor! Jesus is no mere human being. He is also God’s own Son in human flesh. Death could not hold Jesus. Instead, Jesus dominated death! Death had reigned supreme for millennia since the time of Adam and Eve. But Jesus smashed death’s crown and stripped it of its power. As St. Paul taunted death, “Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55)? 

Verse five: “Here the true Paschal Lamb we see, whom God so freely gave us; he died on the accursed tree – so strong his love – to save us. See, his blood now marks our door; faith points to it; death passes o’er, and Satan cannot harm us. Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

In this fifth verse, Luther treats the Passover Lamb. His altar was the cross. Now the angel of death passes over us because the Lamb’s blood is marking our doors. There is no longer a reason to fear death for Jesus has turned death into a sleep. There is no longer a reason to fear Satan for Christ has crushed the Ancient Serpent’s head, he has silenced the roaring lion, he has defeated the old evil foe.  

Verse six: “So let us keep the festival to which the Lord invites us; Christ is himself the joy of all, the sun that warms and lights us. Now his grace to us imparts eternal sunshine to our hearts; the night of sin is ended. Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

Verse seven: “Then let us feast this Easter Day on Christ, the bread of heaven; the Word of grace has purged away the old and evil leaven. Christ alone our souls will feed; he is our meat and drink indeed; faith lives upon no other! Alleluia! Alleluia!” 

In these final verses, Luther invites the faithful eat the Passover Lamb in the Easter feast, where Christ is “our meat and drink indeed.” 

What has Jesus done by breaking death’s strong bands? He has broken death’s bands for all his followers. Because he rose, all flesh will rise, too. Jesus promises, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out” (John 5:28, 29). Now, our response is joyful living, singing alleluias, and partaking of the sacramental feast.  

We expect death. But we no longer need to fear death. Death’s bands cannot hold us because it could not hold Jesus. Before Christ rose, we were like corpses whose mouths couldn’t sing praises to God. But now that Christ has risen, he has enlivened our mouths to sing: “Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise” (Psalm 51:15). This Easter let us fill our churches singing, “Alleluia! Alleluia!”  

#14 - Hymn 411 – Ride On, Ride On, In Majesty

As we come upon Holy Week once again in the church year, we praise Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:61).  On Sunday Jesus rides a donkey down from the Mount of Olives. He did this so that on Friday he could carry his cross up to Mt. Calvary.  

The Hymn of the Day for Palm Sunday is “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty.” There is a reason this hymn has been included in almost 600 hymnals. It conveys the truths of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem that began the triumph and tragedy of Holy Week. 

Verse one: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry. O Savior meek, pursue your road, with palms and scattered garments strowed.” 

In the beginning of the week, Jesus is praised as a king with palm branches in the air and robes thrown on the ground. On Friday the soldiers mock Jesus as a king with a purple robe, a crown of thorns and a sign above his cross that reads, “The king of the Jews.”  

Verse two: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, your triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin.” 

Two verses of this hymn contain the striking phrase “lowly pomp.” Lowly pomp? A humble display of magnificence? Yes! Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, not on a war horse. Lowly. But in the ancient Middle East, kings would ride donkeys if they came in peace. Pomp. 

This Sunday we learn of Jesus riding into Jerusalem as King to bring peace between we sinful humans and our holy God. Jesus goes into battle against Satan and sin to bring peace to our troubled lives through his death on the cross. He goes to war against Death to bring us eternal peace after Death claims us. Jesus is a King who comes to bring peace. Lowly pomp. Humble majesty. 

Verse three: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! The angel armies of the sky look down with sad and wond’ring eyes to see th’ approaching sacrifice.” 

On Sunday Jesus rides past the walls of Jerusalem carried on a donkey. On Friday Jesus’ corpse is on Golgotha’s hill, being carried by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, so he may be buried in a borrowed tomb. This was the greatest miracle of all time! The King dies for his subjects. The Shepherd lays down his life for sheep who love to wander. The Creator allows his creatures to crucify him. And the angel armies watch these events of salvation unfold with both sad and wondering eyes.  

Verse four: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! Your last and fiercest strife is nigh. The Father on his sapphire throne awaits his own anointed Son.” 

Zechariah prophesies, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). There is both a simplicity and a depth to the entrance of Jesus on Palm Sunday. If Jesus came in the fullness of his glory with his voice like thunder and his eyes like fire, we would surely run from him in fear. When Isaiah saw the Lord’s glory, he came undone (Isaiah 6). When Jesus stilled the stormy sea, the disciples were terrified (Matthew 8). When Jesus ordered the fish to jump into their nets, the disciples demanded that he depart from them (Luke 5). So, Jesus humbled himself and became a servant (Philippians 2:8).  

Jesus humbled himself and came as a servant so that we would not fear him, but trust in him. He did not enter Jerusalem on a gleaming white steed to rule over us, rather he came gentle and riding a donkey because he was being obedient to Another – his Father on his sapphire throne.  

Verse five: “Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. Bow your meek head to mortal pain, then take, O Christ, your power and reign.” 

Jesus rides into Jerusalem. He is riding on as a King in majesty. At the same time, he is riding on to a criminal’s death. A death that will make centurions and governors shake, but a death that will take a criminal to paradise.  

Jesus enters Jerusalem as King. The people putting their cloaks on the ground and waving palm branches in the air recognize this. Even as a King, Jesus still enters with humility and gentleness. 

The next time Jesus comes, it will not be with humility and gentleness. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him” (Revelation 1:7).  

On Palm Sunday, the people praise Christ with palm branches. One day, we will gather with the saints in heaven to wave palm branches in victory around the throne of Christ (Revelation 7:9). There will be no gentleness or humility … only glory and victory. For Christ reigns now and forevermore as our King of kings and Lord of lords.  

#13 - Hymn 563/564 – My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

The grand hymn of faith “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” was written by Edward Mote about 1834. He once shared how he came to write the words: “One morning it came into my mind as I went to labour, to write a hymn on the ‘Gracious Experience of a Christian.’ As I went up Holborn I had the chorus: ‘On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.’ In the day I had four verses complete, and wrote them off.” 

Mote then called on a church member whose wife was ill. The husband, accustomed to singing a hymn in his private devotions, was unable to find his hymnbook, so Mote offered the completed four stanzas of his newly written hymn. The dying woman was so taken with the hymn that Mote, after leaving a copy with her, later finished off two more stanzas and had a thousand copies printed in leaflet form. 

Verse one: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare to make no other claim, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.” The refrain: “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. 

In the Gospel lesson from Luke 20:9-19 Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. At the end of the parable Jesus tells us how we can escape the fate of those wicked tenants by quoting Psalm 118: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Luke 20:17). Then he adds this commentary: “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush the one on whom it falls” (Luke 20:18).   

That’s kind of cryptic, and it really doesn’t sound like good news. But it is! Because it makes an important distinction between those who are broken and those who are crushed. While both hurt, one is permanent, and the other is not.  

Jesus is the solid rock. Our faith is solid when it is built on Jesus, his blood and righteousness. But if we desire to be self-sufficient, then the rock becomes a stumbling block. We stumble over Christ; we trip and fall and break apart. Stumbling, falling, and breaking apart aren’t good things. Until we realize how broken we are. We must recognize that our lives are broken, our marriage is broken, our home life is broken, our love life is broken, our attempts at Christian lives are broken, then Christ can put us back together again.  

When we finally admit that we are broken, that we have stumbled over Christ and his cross, that we really are the wicked tenants who despise God and the preaching of his Word, then there is hope. Once broken by the cross, we are made whole by the resurrection. God humbles us so he can exalt us. He lowers us so he can raise us up. He breaks us so he can heal us. 

Verse two: “When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in ev’ry high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.” 

We cannot always see the glory and love shining from Christ’s face through all the darkness and gloom of this world. Though we at times may be unable to see that grace, it is always there unchanging and unmovable. God’s grace is an anchor that holds us in place through every stormy gale.  

Verse three: “His oath, his covenant and blood support me in the raging flood; when ev’ry earthly prop gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.” 

The Lord gives us this promise through Isaiah, “When you cross through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross the rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not set you on fire” (Isaiah 43:2). God’s covenant – his promise proven true and complete in the blood of Christ on the cross is our unmovable support when the floods of physical and spiritual dangers threaten us. When our family abandons us, our culture is decaying, our nation is crumbling, our health is failing – these are only earthly props. They will ultimately give way. Yet God alone is our hope and stay.  

Verse four: “When he shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in him be found, clothed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before his throne.” 

Jesus promises that on the Last Day, “He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matthew 24:31). When that angelic trumpet sounds, our hope and confidence is that Christ our King will find us clothed in our white baptismal gowns. We will be clothed in the righteousness Christ gave us at the baptismal font, the bloody righteousness he won on Calvary’s cross, the white-robed righteousness we will wear as God’s saints before his throne. 

In his grace, God takes us from wicked tenants who should be kicked out of his vineyard and makes us his white-robed saints who stand before his throne. This only happens because each of us can sing with confidence, “My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” 

#12 - Hymn 576 - Amazing Grace

 “Amazing Grace” is one of the most beloved hymns of all time. As amazing as the words are of this hymn, the story behind the words is equally amazing.  

John Newton was born in 1725 in London to a Puritan mother who died while he was only 6 years old. Newton’s father was a stern sea captain who took John to see at age 11. He was eventually pressed into service to the British Navy. After attempting to desert, he received eight dozen lashes and was reduced to the rank of common seaman.  

Newton was later abandoned by his crew in West Africa. There he was forced to be a servant to a slave trader, but he was eventually rescued. On the return voyage to England, a violent storm hit and almost sank the ship, prompting Newton to cry out to God to save them from the storm.  

Upon his return to England, though, Newton became a slave ship master. He served for several years bringing slaves from Africa to England over multiple trips. He admitted to sometimes treating the slaves abhorrently. In 1754, after becoming violently ill on a sea voyage, Newton abandoned his life as a slave trader, the slave trade, and seafaring, altogether, wholeheartedly devoting his life to God's service. 

Newton was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1764 and became quite popular as a preacher and hymn writer, penning some 280 hymns, among them the great "Amazing Grace." Part of the huge appeal of “Amazing Grace” is the incredible backstory that brought it to life. Newton went from being a horrible slave trader to a highly respected minister. He drew on his own experience as a slave trader and his near-death experience on a boat, where he believed God saved him and prompted him onto a Christian path. For him, it was amazing grace that saved a wretch like him.  

Verse one: “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” The Gospel lesson for this Sunday is from Luke 15:13-32. It is Jesus’ famous parable of the prodigal son. In the parable, you are I are one of the two sons. We are the prodigal son – pig-headed in our sin, wallowing in our worldly ways, turning away from the Father, wasting our gifts or taking them for granted. We don’t want to wait for our inheritance but want it now. What wretches we are as the younger son.  

We are also the older brother. Pig-headed in our pride and self-righteousness for being “better” sons. We look down on others and think we deserve praise from our Father for our goodness. We think we are more deserving of the inheritance of heaven than all those sinners out there. What wretches we are as the older son.  

What grace the Father gives us. He’s watching and waiting for us to repent and return. We were lost to the Lord, but he found us. We were blind to our sin, but he allows us to see. He turns us from wretches back into his beloved sons and daughters.  

Verse two: “The Lord has promised good to me, his Word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.”  

There are plenty of promises the Lord gives us in his Word. Here are just a few that keep our hope secure. “The Lord will fight for you. You must wait quietly” (Exodus 14:14). “The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not abandon you, and he will not forsake you. Do not be afraid and do not be overwhelmed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be overwhelmed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).  

Verse three: “Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come; ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”  

Many saints choose this hymn for their Christian funerals. It is God’s amazing grace that brought them to faith in their baptism, kept them in the faith through worship and prayer, fed their faith with Word and Sacrament, and then led them home to heaven. It was that same amazing grace of God that took John Newton from an atheist slave trader to being converted and serving the Lord as a priest and hymnwriter.  

Verse four: “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.” 

This is the marvelous mystery of eternity. Once the angel’s trumpet blares announcing Judgment Day, time stops and eternity begins. We have all eternity to sing God’s praises. We won’t ever tire of singing praises to God for his amazing grace.  

“Amazing Grace” is the Hymn of the Day for Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. The father in Jesus’ parable represents God the Father. God shows his amazing grace even to the point of giving his own Son for you. His own Son jumps into the pig sty of our sin, and the pig sty of our self-righteous pride, to rescue us. Because of what the Father’s Son Jesus has done for us, now the Father throws a feast for us in church as we return every week. Giving us forgiveness in the body and blood of his Son. Inviting us to turn from the world’s deadly slop, and to feast on our Father’s life-giving food. The Father celebrates those he finds, inviting the whole community of angels to rejoice over one sinner who repents. Putting the white robe of Christ’s righteousness upon us. Putting the ring of sonship upon our finger. Placing his name on us in our baptism. Granting us an inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade. 

All this can only be described as amazing grace.  

#11 - Hymn 867 - Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near

A grandmother dies unexpectedly. A middle school student learns she has cancer. A friend is hospitalized. Another friend becomes weak and homebound. A senior citizen suffers a heart attack while on vacation. A baby is born three months prematurely. Insert your own difficulty and tragedy.  

 So why do these kinds of bad things happen to us?  

 In this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, we hear the false teaching of Jesus’ day that believed bad people suffered because of something they’ve done wrong. That’s karma. The heresy of our day says that suffering is inevitable. People who suffer are just unlucky recipients of an indifferent universe. That’s evolutionary fatalism. Another common current lie is when innocent victims die from terrible tragedies, then they must automatically go to a better place. That’s universalism.  

 None of these answers to suffering are correct. They are the opposite. They are damaging and damning lies. “Afflicted Saint to Christ Draw Near” is an old hymn that is new to our Christian Worship hymnal. It sweetly articulates the truths of Christ’s provision for us in all circumstances.  

Verse one: “Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near, your Savior’s gracious promise hear; his faithful Word you can believe, that as your days your strength shall be.” 

When the Jewish people come to Jesus with questions of why people were suffering, he doesn’t attempt to answer their questions. Instead, he takes the examples of sudden, unexpected death and uses them to call attention to matters of life and death. Jesus replies, “Repent, or you too will perish” (Luke 13:3). Jesus is warning that suffering and death and judgment could come at any time. Something far worse than being cut down by Pontius Pilate’s soldiers or having a tower fall on you could happen. Something even worse than a tumor or a car accident or a heart attack could happen at any moment. That something worse that could happen is hell.  

When suffering comes – and it definitely will come – Jesus wants you to be prepared. The way to prepare for affliction is to draw near to Jesus Christ. Go to church. Read your Bible. Listen to Lutheran podcasts. Meditate on God’s Word. Remember your Baptism. Receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The devil wants to use your afflictions to weaken you and pull you away from Christ. Christ wants to use your afflictions to strengthen you with his Word and draw you closer to him.  

Verse two: “Your faith is weak, your foes are strong, and if the conflict should be long, the Lord will make the tempter flee, that as your days your strength shall be.”  

The old evil foe and his demonic forces desire to draw out the conflict to wear you down, to weaken you, to depress and dishearten you. God is the Lord of hosts. He is the Almighty Lord. He is more powerful than any demonic angel. He will make your tempter flee. God promises, “Call on me in the day of distress. I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15). When you are weak, God will provide your strength. He will deliver you.  

Verse three: “Should persecution rage and flame, still trust in your Redeemer’s name. In fiery trials you shall see that as your days your strength shall be.” 

While you may find Christians on occasion offering “pat answers” about suffering, you won’t find the Bible doing such a thing. The Bible offers a multifaceted, balanced, and remarkably nuanced view of suffering. Some suffering is a direct result of God’s righteous anger over rebellion – like with Korah (Numbers 16:31-33). Some suffering is to correct behavior and attitudes – like Jonah swallowed by the big fish (Jonah 1:17). Some suffering is a direct result of our attachment to Jesus – like the apostles who were persecuted by the Sanhedrin yet praised God that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name (Acts 5:40). 

Whatever the reason for our suffering – our sin, the sin of others, living in a sinful world, persecution because we are preaching against sin – we trust in our Redeemer’s name. We repent so we don’t perish in hell. We call others to repentance, so they don’t perish. We seek the Lord’s strength as we live in a sinful world and are persecuted as outsiders. “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who can always be found in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).  

Verse four: “When called to bear your weighty cross, or sore affliction, pain, or loss, or deep distress or poverty, still as your days your strength shall be.” The refrain: “So, sing with joy, afflicted one; the battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won! God shall supply all that you need; yes, as your days your strength shall be.” 

Cancer, strokes, arthritis, hospitalization, death – why do these kinds of bad things happen to us? They are all crosses we bear as Christians. Even though we want to satisfy our curiosity with proclaiming an answer to why suffering is happening, it makes little difference why we are suffering. It is an inescapable part of the human experience. What we really need to know is that through Jesus our suffering will one day come to an end. And while we suffer here, we aren’t suffering alone. Jesus is with you. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are with you. And one day, Lord willing, our suffering together will be at an end. Then we will have all our questions answered. How? What? Where? When? Even why? In Jesus. And with Jesus.  

Jesus gives us something better than answers to our questions. He gives us life for our death, heaven for our hell, forgiveness for our sin, peace for our suffering. Jesus Christ will not answer all your questions, but he will give you all of himself. And in the end, that’s all the answer any of us need. So afflicted saint, to Christ draw near.  

#10 - Hymn 817 - Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart - 3/2022

The years following the death of Martin Luther in 1546 were tumultuous ones for those trying to hold to the true teachings of Scripture. There was a great deal of pressure on the faithful to give up some of their Biblical positions to establish greater unity among the Protestants. Martin Schalling felt this pressure and was tempted to yield to it. Yet the Lord used Schalling in the work of his kingdom. He also used him in the only known example of his hymn writing, “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart,” which is our Hymn of the Day for this Sunday.  

This hymn is a first-person prayer of the Christian who is enduring the sufferings of life but is looking forward to the angels carrying the Christian to Abraham’s bosom in Jesus’ heavenly home. This hymn was published around 1567 as a hymn “for the dying.”  

Verse one: “Lord, thee I love with all my heart; I pray thee, ne’er from me depart, with tender mercy cheer me. Earth has no pleasure I would share; yea, heav’n itself were void and bare if thou, Lord, wert not near me. And should my heart for sorrow break, my trust in thee can nothing shake. Thou art the portion I have sought; thy precious blood my soul has bought. Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, my God and Lord, forsake me not! I trust thy Word.” 

The Christian prays for the presence of the Lord to be near through life. If Jesus is not here with us on earth, there are no pleasures to bring smiles to our faces. It’s all just stuff. Knick knacks. Baubles. Trinkets. It is the treasures of heaven that we’re waiting for. Likewise, if Jesus were not with us in heaven, heaven itself would be uninviting and dull. We seek the Lord for he sought and bought us with his blood.  

Verse two: “Yea, Lord, ’twas thy rich bounty gave my body, soul, and all I have in this poor life of labor. Lord, grant that I in ev’ry place may glorify thy lavish grace and help and serve my neighbor. Let no false doctrine me beguile; let Satan not my soul defile. Give strength and patience unto me to bear my cross and follow thee. Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, my God and Lord, in death thy comfort still afford.” 

The Christian prays for the strength to glorify Christ and serve throughout one’s life. The motivation for laboring for the Lord with body and soul is because the Lord purchased our body and soul with his body and blood on the cross. We serve the Lord knowing that our lives do not get easier as we get older. And the longer we live, the more we need Jesus’ guiding hand. The longer we live, the more opportunities Satan has to defile our souls with false doctrines. So we ask for strength and patience to bear the crosses the Lord lays before his faithful disciples. We pray for peace. But the ultimate peace we are always praying for is death.  

Verse three: “Lord, let at last thine angels come, to Abr’ham’s bosom bear me home that I may die unfearing; and in its narrow chamber keep my body safe in peaceful sleep until thy reappearing. And then from death awaken me that these mine eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, thy glorious face, my Savior and my fount of grace. Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend, and I will praise thee without end.” 

We are all going to die. We’re all going to die of something. It really doesn’t matter what we do, we cannot prevent death. We cannot hide from death. Death is going to claim every one of us. “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Hiding from death will never work. The only ones who need to fear death are unbelievers. If Christians fear death, then we are letting ourselves become slaves to the fear of death. The devil reigns when we are afraid of dying. That’s his real power over us. 

When we live in fear, when we look at others in fear, where does that fear come from? The author of Hebrews rightly reminds us that fear is the greatest tool in the devil’s toolbox: “Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood, [Christ] also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). 

Overcoming fear comes from God. God said, “Now this is what the Lord says, ‘Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1). We have no reason to fear because God is with us. “The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not abandon you, and he will not forsake you. Do not be afraid and do not be overwhelmed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Jesus replaces fear with peace. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid” (John 14:27). 

Christians can stop fearing death. Start living again. The devil wants us to live in fear of dying. Jesus wants us to live with the assurance that death has already been defeated. What’s the worst that will happen to us when we die? The angels will come to carry us home to Abraham’s bosom. That doesn’t sound scary at all. We fall asleep in death and awaken to see the Son of God’s glorious face.  

This closing verse holds heaven in full view. The composer Johann Sebastian Bach thought so highly of this prayer that he used this verse to close his epic choral work “The Passion According to St. John.” How fitting a choice it was too, for as Christians contemplate the suffering and death of Christ for their sins, they can’t help but look ahead to their own deaths and the resurrections of their bodies. 

“Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend, and I will praise thee without end.” There’s nothing more to add except, “Amen!” 

#9 - Hymn 863 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

 “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is probably one of the greatest hymns written by one of God’s greatest champions in one of the greatest periods of church history. It has been called “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation.” It isn’t known for certain when Martin Luther wrote this hymn, but he did base it on Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who can always be found in times of trouble. That is why we will not fear when the earth dissolves and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea. Its waters roar and foam. The mountains quake when it rises. There is a river-its streams bring joy to the city of God, to the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in her. She will not fall. God will help her at daybreak. Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises his voice. The earth melts. The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us” (Psalm 46:1-7). 

This hymn was of great comfort to Luther and his followers because when he was discouraged, he would often invite his friends to sing it for courage and strength and he apparently sang it regularly while being sheltered at the Coburg castle in Germany during the Diet of Augsburg. This hymn was then sung at the Diet of Augsburg. Gustavus Adolphus caused it to be sung by his army before the battle of Leipzig in 1631.  

Verse one: “A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; he helps us free from ev’ry need that has us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal.” 

If “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is a Reformation song to be sung toward the end of the Christian church year, then why is it the Hymn of the Day for the first Sunday in Lent? The Gospel lesson for the first Sunday in Lent is always Jesus battling the devil in the wilderness. Martin Luther speaks throughout this hymn about doing battle against “the old evil foe.”  

Verse one of this hymn, just like the first three verses of Psalm 46 share the theological truth of God’s faithfulness. It is a comfort to know that you can flee to God for refuge. You can trust him. He is a mighty fortress, a trusty shield and weapon that protects us from the attacks of the devil, the old evil foe.  

Verse two: “With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected; but for us fights the valiant one whom God himself elected. You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is, the almighty Lord, and there’s no other God; he holds the field forever.” 

Verse two is reminiscent of Philippians 3:3 where St. Paul writes, “put no confidence in the flesh.” Our flesh is weak, warped, and wicked and cannot be trusted. So whom can we trust? We trust in the valiant one who is Jesus Christ, the man of God’s own choosing. Revelation 13:8 declares that Jesus was “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” God did not have to search through heaven or come up with a secondary plan when Adam fell in the Garden. Calvary was in the mind of God when he created the heavens and the earth. When God took Adam up in his arms and breathed life into him, God had already determined that Jesus would die to redeem fallen man. God had elected Jesus from eternity to be our valiant one.  

Verse three: “Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we fear no ill; they shall not overpow’r us. This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will, he can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him.” 

Luther writes, “though devils all the world should fill.” When you read the Gospels, you see that the devil and his demons seemed to be working overtime during Jesus’ earthly ministry. You can be sure that wherever Christ is present in person, Word or Sacrament, the devil and his demons are hard at work. Whether it was the devil in the desert or the demon-possessed man in the synagogue or the papacy and its false doctrines in the Reformation or any of the myriad of false teachings in vogue today, the devil is still on the attack. There’s nothing the devil despises more than the preaching of Christ crucified for sinners. The devil and his demons love vague spiritualities, nebulous praise and cross-less, bloodless gospels that are really no gospel at all. You can preach social justice and morality until you’re blue in the face and the devil couldn’t care less. But preach Christ and all hell lets loose.  

Luther assures us that the devil is judged and can harm us none. One little word can fell him. Though the devil is the prince of this world, Jesus Christ trumps him because he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The devil was judged and defeated when Jesus died on the cross, thereby rescuing all sinners from an eternity of torment with the devil and his demons.  

There has been a lot of discussion over the years about what that “one little word” is that can fell the devil. The English language is much wordier than the Greek language. Perhaps some Greek words that might fit are: gegonan – “It is done” (Revelation 21:1) or tetelestai – “It is finished” (John 19:30) or phimotheti – “Shut up!” (Mark 1:25) or simply “Jesus.” 

Verse four: “The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it; he’s by our side upon the plain with his good gifts and Spirit. And take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, though all may be gone, our victory is won; the kingdom’s ours forever!” 

Jesus is the Word made flesh that shall remain. Jesus is always by our side. He promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We have this confidence that Jesus can and does defeat the devil because he himself has promised, “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me” (John 14:30). If Jesus is with us in the dark valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23), then he is also with us in the plain of this world. The devil will not and cannot prevail. Christ has crushed the Ancient Serpent’s head once and for all. The victory is won. The kingdom’s ours forever.

#8 - Hymn 388 – Down from the Mount of Glory

“Down from the Mount of Glory” is a fairly new hymn. It was written by Werner Franzmann in 1968 while he was the managing editor of the WELS Northwestern Lutheran – now Forward in Christ. You can read Mark 9:2-9 for the biblical account of Jesus’ transfiguration which is the basis for Franzmann’s hymn.  

Verse one: “Down from the mount of glory came Jesus Christ, our Lord. Recall the wondrous story, rich gem in sacred Word. Again your faith will view him in double glory here; the greater homage due him will in your life appear.” 

In his hymn, Franzmann is comparing and contrasting the Mount of Transfiguration with Mount Calvary. He shows the stark contrasts between the two mountains and in the same way shows the exact purpose of each. The first mountain is for glory and strength. The second mountain is for glory and death. 

Twice, in verses 1 and 5, Franzmann mentions “double glory.” The glory Jesus received on the Mount of Transfiguration showed himself to be God’s beloved Son. Jesus loses none of his divine majesty in his incarnation, but he humbly hid that majesty with his human nature. Now on the Mount of Transfiguration, Christ’s glory shines through his human nature. The glory Jesus received on Mount Calvary is different. Though he is the Son of God who is the Creator of life, he freely chooses to die at the hands of his creation so that he might then save these sinful creatures. Jesus’ glory is revealed in his humility on the cross. 

Every year at the end of the Epiphany season, before we move into the season of Lent, we are invited to revisit this first mountain. What happens there? Annually upon the Mount of Transfiguration our faith will benefit and its fruit “will in your life appear.” This is what happens any time we stop to ponder and digest God’s Word – the Word made flesh in Christ.  

Verse two: “Transfigured, Christ, the lowly, stood radiant in the light, light found in Godhead solely, for human eyes too bright. Then came a voice from heaven, confirmed what here we see; the words “my Son” were given to seal his deity.” 

This verse describes Jesus being transfigured on the mountain. Another word for transfigured is metamorphosis – a complete change in form and appearance. The prophet Isaiah describes Jesus’ human appearance as having “no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (53:7). Yet the Gospel writers describe Jesus upon the mountain with his face shining like the sun (Matthew 17:2); his face changed (Luke 17: 29); and his clothes were whiter than anyone could bleach them (Mark 9:3).  

From heaven, the Father voices approval of his Son. This was because Jesus was carrying out the plan of salvation formulated in eternity before the foundations of the world were laid. What Peter, James and John had not heard at Jesus’ baptism (because they weren’t present), they hear now. Jesus was transfigured to reveal his deity, to show that he was the true God, the greater prophet promised to whom all should listen. “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15).  

Verse three: “Yet mark this glory hidden! See him the mount descend and, by the Father bidden, his willing footsteps bend to seek humiliation in deepest depths of woe, to suffer degradation no mind can probe or know.” 

But as quickly as it happened, it was over. Why did Jesus descend the mountain and not remain there in his glory? Jesus was willingly treading down the mountain into the plain so that he could soon walk up another mountain toward his suffering and death. He had to face humiliation and degradation and deepest woes – beyond what anyone can comprehend or know.  

Verse four: “Strange how his journey ended! In love that is his fame our Lord again ascended a mount—the hill of shame. Upon the cross he proffered himself to agony; his holy soul he offered to set the guilty free.” 

How did the transfiguration strengthen Jesus during the last weeks of his life? Jesus had heard the Father putting his stamp of approval on him and his saving mission. Jesus spoke to the two great prophets of the Old Testament – Moses and Elijah – who encouraged him to continue on with his journey. Jesus also saw the glory that would be his when he accomplished our salvation.  

Verse five: “Then hail the double glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and let the wondrous story full peace and joy afford! The holy mount acclaims him the majesty divine; Mount Calvary proclaims him Redeemer—yours and mine.” 

Why must we too leave the Mount of Transfiguration and accompany Jesus back down the mountain? Why can’t we just stay in the joyful season of Epiphany instead of trudging through the dark and mournful Lenten journey to Mount Calvary? Someday we will enjoy Jesus’ glory in all its fullness for eternity. But now we must take up our crosses and follow him, showing ourselves to be his disciples. We, too, must follow Jesus by ascending the hill of shame to the foot of the cross. That is where we witness the true glory of Jesus as our Redeemer.  

How ironic that this journey which began on a mountain would end on a mountain – but this time not of glory but of shame. There Jesus offered his life, he gave himself over to agony and the cross to set guilty sinners free and afford full peace and joy for all. “Down from the Mount of Glory” sets before us beautiful bookends to the Lenten season. We ask God to bless our Lenten journey from mountain to mountain.  

#7 - Hymn 729 – Son of God, Eternal Savior

Our Hymn of the Day for this Sunday is 729 – “Son of God, Eternal Savior.” This hymn encourages us to love one another as God has shown his love to us in his Son, who is our eternal Savior. It’s just like St. John’s reminder, “This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us so much, we also should love one another” (1 John 4:10, 11). 

The hymn was written by Somerset Corry Thomas Lowry, who was born in 1855 in Dublin, Ireland. Lowry was ordained as a deacon in 1879 and a priest in 1880. 

Verse one: “Son of God, eternal Savior, source of life and truth and grace, Word made flesh, whose birth among us, hallows all our human race, you our head, who, throned in glory, for your own will ever plead: fill us with your love and pity, heal our wrongs and help our need.” 

Jesus Christ was born among us. He is the Word of God made flesh and blood. He is the eternal God who entered the realm of time and space. He became incarnate as the Son of Man to be made like us in every way. The writer to the Hebrews explains the reasoning for the incarnation like this: “Since the children share flesh and blood, [Christ] also shared the same flesh and blood” (Hebrews 2:14). As God and man together in one now “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Because the Son of God was now human, he could die, which he did on the Roman cross. But because Jesus remained God, he could also rise from the dead, which he did on the third day. As our crucified and resurrected Savior, the God-Man has ascended to his throne at the Father’s right hand to make intercession for us, to plead our case to God Almighty. As it says in Hebrews, “[Christ] is able to save forever those who come to God through him, because he always lives to plead on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:25). 

Verse two: “Bind us all as one together in your Church’s sacred fold, weak and healthy, poor and wealthy, sad and joyful, young and old. Is there want or pain or sorrow? Make us all the burden share. Are there spirits crushed and broken? Teach us, Lord, to soothe their care.” 

Jesus unites us together in the sacred sheepfold of the Christian Church. He brings people together from every nation, tribe, people, and language (Revelation 7:9). The Church is made up of people from all kinds of classes and categories – weak and strong, poor and wealthy, sick and healthy. As Christians, we have an obligation to take care of those around us, especially those within the Christian Church. St. Paul advises, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for the good purpose of building him up” (Romans 15:1, 2). Therefore, whenever there are spirits crushed by pain or broken by sorrow, we desire to help bear each other’s burdens. As we bear one another’s burdens, we are fulfilling the law of love that comes from Christ. (Galatians 6:1, 2). 

Verse three: “As you, Lord, have lived for others, so may we for others live. Freely have your gifts been granted; freely may your servants give. Yours the gold and yours the silver, yours the wealth of land and sea; we but stewards of your bounty held in solemn trust will be.” 

We are stewards and managers of everything God has given us. We are managers of the gold and silver God has gifted us. We use that wealth to further God’s kingdom. We also use that wealth to care for the physical and spiritual needs of those around us. We are God’s stewards who use whatever wealth we have from God to do good for God’s people. St. Paul encourages us, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). 

Verse four: “Son of God, eternal Savior, source of life and truth and grace, Word made flesh, whose birth among us hallows all our human race, by your praying, by your willing that your people should be one, grant, O grant our hope’s fruition: here on earth your will be done.” 

We strive for God’s will to be done here on earth, just as we pray in the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “your will be done on earth as in heaven.” Jesus unites us all together as one as he united himself to us as Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:20-23). One of the last prayers Jesus prayed with his disciples before going to Gethsemane to be betrayed and arrested was for unity among his disciples of all ages. Since Jesus prayed and wills that his people should be one, we work hard to establish and keep the unity of peace among us. St. Paul encourages that unity, “Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). 

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.  He established his church as the body of his followers to spread his message of salvation to a lost and dying world. It is our goal to share with others the love of Christ that was first shared with us. We rejoice in our unity and invite others to be part of that unity. As sons and daughters, we go about the business of him who is the “Son of God, Eternal Savior.” 

#6 - Hymn 803 – Day by Day

King David writes in Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord. Day by day he bears our burdens. He is the God who The Lord will lead us day by day saves us.” The hymn “Day by Day,” 803 in Christian Worship, encourages us to put our trust in God day by day as he bears our burdens. “Day by Day” is new to us in our new hymnal. It is in the Trust section of the hymnal.  

“Day by Day” expresses thanks to God and encourages dependence on the Lord for daily benefits. The text of the hymn was written by Carolina Vilhelmina Sandell Berg, who was born in Smaland, Sweden in 1832. She was the daughter of a Swedish Lutheran minister. As a young child, she was stricken with a paralysis that confined her to bed with little chance of recovery. However, by age twelve she had improved so that she was able to walk. From this experience, she began jotting down verses to express her gratitude to God, and at age sixteen she published her first book of such poems. One of her most famous hymns, "Children of the Heavenly Father," comes from her teenage years and is a testimony to the spiritual upbringing that she received in her home. “Children of the Heavenly Father” is 502 in Christian Worship. 

In 1858, at the age of 26, Lina, as she was commonly called, was accompanying her father aboard a ship across Lake Vattern. The ship gave a sudden lurch which caused her father to fall overboard and drown before her eyes. Then in 1860 her mother also died. With memories of her father’s untimely death, “Day by Day” was written in 1865, between the time of her mother’s death and Lina’s marriage in 1867. 

Despite her sufferings – or maybe because of them - Carolina authored more than 650 hymns in her lifetime, many of which were brought to America by Swedish immigrants, and she has been called "the Fanny Crosby of Sweden."  

Verse one: “Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me, bringing comfort to my anxious soul. Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me draw me nearer to my heav’nly goal. Love divine, beyond all mortal measure, brings to naught the burdens of my quest; Savior, lead me to the home I treasure, where at last I’ll find eternal rest.” 

In this first verse, we are told we can trust the Lord’s mercies for our anxious souls. God has promised his people strength to meet their trials in life. We don’t need to be afraid or dismayed if we don’t find rest in this lifetime. The Lord will lead us day by day to find our eternal rest in the life to come.  

Verse two: Day by day, I know you will provide me strength to serve and wisdom to obey; I will seek your loving will to guide me o’er the paths I struggle day by day. I will fear no evil of the morrow, I will trust in your enduring grace. Savior, help me bear life’s pain and sorrow till in glory I behold your face.” 

In the second verse, we are told we can trust in God’s pledge for protection and providing for our needs. Though our paths are often filled with struggles, we don’t need to fear any evil. Our trust in the enduring grace of our Savior drives away all those fears. We ask the Lord to wipe the tears and sorrow from our face as we behold the divine glory of his face. The Lord will lead us day by day to meet and greet whatever challenges lie on the path before us.  

Verse three: “Oh, what joy to know that you are near me when my burdens grow too great to bear; oh, what joy to know that you will hear me when I come, O Lord, to you in prayer. Day by day, no matter what betide me, you will hold me ever in your hand. Savior, with your presence here to guide me, I will reach at last the promised land.” 

In the third verse, we are told to trust in God’s care and concern because we know he is near. We often hear people tell us, “God won’t give you more than you can bear.” That sounds Christian … but it’s not. God certainly gives you more than you can bear. When you realize your burdens are too great for you to bear alone, he is right there beside you to take those burdens off you and put them on himself. No matter what betides you, the Lord is beside you. Day by day, trust that the Lord is holding your hand, leading you to the promised land. 

The text of this hymn is paired with a beautiful melody. It will quickly become a favorite. Express the deep and peaceful trust you have in the Lord as you pray for his help, “Day by Day.” 

#5 - Hymn 745 – Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying

There is a severe shortage of called workers in our church body. We need more pastors in our pulpits. We need more teachers in our classrooms. We need more principals to oversee the education in our schools. We need more home and world missionaries.  

We also need more laypeople – men, women, seasoned citizens, middle-aged parents, young adults, college students, teens, and children – who want to tell the good news of Jesus. We need more Christians to gladly answer the Lord’s call saying, “Here am I, send me, send me.” 

The Hymn of the Day for this Sunday is from the Witness section of Christian Worship. It is 745 – “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying.” This hymn was written by Daniel March, who was intensely interested in missions. He was a preacher serving in Congregationalist and Presbyterian churches out east in the late 19th century. March was invited to deliver a sermon in 1868 with the text, “Here am I, send me” from Isaiah 6:8. Unable to find a suitable hymn for the occasion, March penned one of his own.  

The hymn encourages us to do whatever we can in responding to the call of Jesus to spread God’s Word.  

The first verse: “Hark! the voice of Jesus crying, “Who will go and work today? Fields are ripe and harvests waiting; who will bear the sheaves away?” Loud and long the Master calleth; rich reward he offers thee. Who will answer, gladly saying, “Here am I, send me, send me”?” 

Jesus told his disciples in Luke 10:2: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” God is the Master who owns this world as his personal field. God wants his Christians to sow the seeds of the gospel in this world. The field of this world is ripe with souls. But the Master needs his Christians to step up and answer the call to bring in the harvest.  

The second verse: “If you cannot speak like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus, you can say he died for all. If you cannot rouse the wicked with the judgment’s dread alarms, You can lead the little children to the Savior’s waiting arms.” 

Most people are afraid of public speaking. But that’s OK. You don’t have to speak like angels or the apostle Paul. All you have to do is get into personal conversations around the dinner table at home, across the fence with your neighbor in the backyard, in the breakroom at work, or wherever you find people to talk to. Steer the conversation to talking about the love of Jesus and how he died for all. Even if you can’t rouse the wicked, simply lead your children and grandchildren to Jesus. He is waiting for them with open arms.  

Verse three: “If you cannot be a watchman, standing high on Zion’s wall, Pointing out the path to heaven, off’ring life and peace to all, with your prayers and with your off’rings you can do what God demands; you can be like faithful Aaron, holding up the prophet’s hands. 

God demands all kinds of workers in his kingdom. He needs some of you to be watchmen standing on Zion’s wall warning people that the enemy of the devil is coming. But many Christians may not be suited for such work. But everyone – from the youngest child to the oldest homebound Christian can pray for the lost and for those who are warning them. All of us can support ministries and missionaries with our offerings. All of us can encourage our pastors and teachers like faithful Aaron and Hur who held up Moses’ hands.  

Verse four: “Let none hear you idly saying, “There is nothing I can do,” while the multitudes are dying, and the Master calls for you. Take the task he gives you gladly, let his work your pleasure be; answer quickly when he calleth, “Here am I, send me, send me!” 

We cannot be idle saying, “There is nothing I can do.” Personally, I’ve had lots of people over the years say they’re nervous about saying the wrong thing to a person. I always tell them, “You won’t say the wrong thing. Besides, you’re talking to people who are already going to hell. Nothing you say will put them in a deeper place in hell. Rather, the Holy Spirit can use whatever you say to release that soul from hell and take precious soul to be with the rest of the saints in heaven.”  

God doesn’t call angels to save people. He calls regular people like you and me. Like the fishermen whom Jesus calls in this week’s Gospel lesson, Jesus equips and prepares his people for service. If you feel unqualified for the task at hand, then be assured that Jesus plans to use you exactly for that purpose. Consider serving on the evangelism team of your church. Pray about sending your children to Martin Luther College to become pastors or teachers. Find people who need to hear about Jesus. Let your attitude be that of Isaiah, “Here I am, Lord, send me, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) 

#4 - Hymn 901 – O Christians, Haste

This Sunday we see Jesus in the town of Capernaum. He has spent the morning preaching in the synagogue, followed by driving out a demon from a possessed man who dared show up for worship that Sabbath morning. Then Jesus went to the home of Peter and found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. So he healed the older woman. 

News about Jesus spread throughout the city, so that when the Sabbath was over, the lame and lepers, the injured and possessed were brought to Jesus to heal. He spent all evening healing. But there were still more injured and diseased the next morning. But Jesus was nowhere to be found. 

When Peter and the other disciples finally tracked Jesus down, he told them that his mission wasn’t to perform miracles or heal people. He announced his true mission saying, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because that is why I was sent” (Luke 4:43). 

The Son of God must proclaim the good news. As sons and daughters of God, we, too, must proclaim the good news of Christ. We are called to do that in this Sunday’s Hymn of the Day, number 901 - O Christians Haste. 

The first verse: “O Christians, haste, your mission high fulfilling, to tell to all the world that God is light, that he who made all nations is not willing one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.” Then the refrain: “Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace, tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.” 

There is no higher mission than telling people about their Savior. You cannot keep this message of salvation to yourself. You cannot be lax or lazy in your calling. You must make “haste.” That means “go fast.” God doesn’t want a single soul to perish – to be lost in the shades of night. You may be the one God uses to shine his light into a dark soul. You may the one God uses to rescue a perishing soul.  

Verse two: “Behold how many thousands still are lying bound in the dreary prison-house of sin 
with none to tell them of the Savior's dying or of the life he died for them to win.” 

As you drive to work or look at the people in the grocery store or get to know the people in your neighborhood, how many of them are trapped in the prison of their sin? Are they dreary in their unbelief? Are they dying without knowing about their Savior dying for them? 

Verse three: “Proclaim to ev'ry people, tongue, and nation that God, in whom they live and move, is love; tell how he stooped to save his lost creation and died on earth that they might live above.” 

Jesus’ entire mission was to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. That was why he was sent. What a privilege that Jesus now invites – and expects – you to be part of the mission to proclaim this good news. Tell people of every shade of skin color, every language, and from every nation about their God. A God who loves them enough to have his Son stoop down low enough to become a lowly human. Stoop low enough to save dying sinners by taking their sin upon himself in his death. Stoop low that he might bring us high through faith in him.  

Verse four: “Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious, give of your wealth to speed them on their way; pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious; O Christians, haste to bring the brighter day!” 

We pray regularly in the Lord’s Prayer for God’s kingdom to come. When we pray that prayer, we are asking for God to send heralds into the world to share the glorious message. Those heralds are pastors and missionaries. But those heralds are also every one of you. You can open your mouth to share the good news of Jesus.  

Along with opening your mouth, you can open your wallet, purse and checking account to give of your wealth to support pastors and send missionaries so that many more might see the brighter day as they are called out of their darkness of sin, shame and death. 

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace, tidings of Jesus, redemption and release. 

#2 - Hymn 714 - Jesus, Your Boundless Love to Me

This Sunday in worship we focus on the Savior of humanity saving a couple from public shame at their wedding. Jesus reveals himself as true God in his first miracle of changing ordinary water into wedding wine. 

The Hymn of the Day is #714 – Jesus, Your Boundless Love to Me.” The hymn’s author is Paul Gerhardt. Gerhardt is considered the greatest hymn writer Lutheranism every produced. He wrote over 130 hymns in his lifetime. 22 of those hymns are included in our new blue Christian Worship hymnal.  

Gerhardt’s life was filled with hardship, but his faith remained firm. The texts of his hymns are powerful and poetic; deep and doctrinal.  

Gerhardt’s original hymn has 16 verses. Our hymnal includes four of those verses.  

The first verse: “Jesus, your boundless love to me No thought can reach, no tongue declare. Dwell in my heart eternally, And reign without a rival there. To you alone, dear Lord, I live; Myself to you, dear Lord, I give.”  

If you listen to modern Christian music, much of it centers on the Christian’s love toward God. Loving God is a great thing. But Gerhardt puts the emphasis for loving God where it belongs – that God loves us first with a boundless love through Jesus Christ.  

Verse two: “Oh, grant that nothing in my soul May dwell but your pure love alone; Oh, may your love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown! All coldness from my heart remove; My ev’ry act, word, thought be love.” 

Before we can respond warmly in love to God, God the Holy Spirit must first remove the coldness of our hearts. Based on God’s action of loving us with the pure love in giving us his Son, now we can react with our actions, words and thoughts of love.  

St. Paul puts it this way in this Sunday’s epistle lesson: “I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he would strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then, being rooted and grounded in love, I pray that you would be able to comprehend, along with all the saints, how wide and long and high and deep his love is, and that you would be able to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16–19). 

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to us so that he might dwell in our hearts through faith. This results in us “being rooted and grounded in love.” Martin Luther explains it this way in his Small Catechism, “I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.” 

Verse three: “This love unwearied I pursue And dauntlessly to you aspire. Oh, may your love my hope renew, Burn in my soul like heav’nly fire! And day and night be all my care To guard this sacred treasure there.” 

If you want to be more loving to your spouse or desire for your children to be more loving to you, then all of you need to be filled with the love of God. Pursue God’s love. Aspire to be filled with God’s love. Pray for your soul to become a heavenly fire set ablaze by the love of God. You cannot have a natural love for others until you are first filled with the supernatural love of God. “We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).  

Verse four: “In suff’ring be your love my peace; In weakness be your love my pow’r; And when the storms of life shall cease, O Jesus, in that final hour Be then my rod and staff and guide And draw me safely to your side.” 

In his last verse, Gerhardt speaks of the final hour of a believer’s life. We desire to be guided by the Good Shepherd’s rod and staff to his side in the green pastures and quiet waters of paradise. We can wait patiently and confidently because our earthly suffering is replaced with heavenly peace. Our human weakness is surpassed by God’s divine power. All this is given to you by God’s divine love.  

Love shown by a God who cared enough to save newlyweds from embarrassment on their wedding day. Love shown by a God who cared enough to save sinful humanity from hellish punishment on Judgment Day.  

Listen to Jesus, Your Boundless Love to Me on YouTube. Then hear it again this Sunday in worship. Be filled with Christ’s boundless love so you may respond with love to God and God’s people.  

We end with St. Paul’s beautiful benediction in Ephesians: ”Now to him, who is able, according to the power that is at work within us, to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 4:20-21). 

https://youtu.be/1SQjWQeH5ww 

#3 - Hymn 387 - Arise, Your Light Is Come

This Sunday in worship we hear how Jesus was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth. In the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus read Isaiah 61 and related that these verses were spoken as prophecy and fulfillment in him. Isaiah wrote of the Lord sending the anointed to speak to the children of Israel who had rejected him.  

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the afflicted. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord to display his beauty” (Isaiah 61:1-3).  

Ruth Duck is the author of the hymn Arise, Your Light Is Come. It is number 387 in Christian Worship. The hymn is based on the words of Isaiah 61. It is a hymn of encouragement rather than a hymn of praise. Rather than being directed toward God, it is directed toward God’s people.  

The first verse: “Arise, your light is come! The Spirit's call obey; Show forth the glory of your God, Which shines on you today.” 

The season of Epiphany is about Christ revealing himself to the world. He reveals his light through his words and miracles. Ruth Duck calls upon Christians to respond to this light by obeying the Holy Spirit’s call. Christ’s glory shines on us. Now we are called to show forth God’s glory out in the darkness of our world.  

The second verse: “Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door; Proclaim the captives' liberty, Good tidings to the poor.” 

Christ has flung wide the prison door of our sin. He has set us captives free from Satan’s tyranny. He has proclaimed the good tidings of sins forgiven and salvation won to the poor in spirit. Now we are called to obey the Holy Spirit by flinging wide prison doors, proclaiming the captives’ liberty, and Christ’s rich tidings to the poor.  

The third verse: “Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born, Build up the broken-hearted ones And comfort those who mourn.” 

Christ replaces our sorrows with rejoicing in his resurrection. He builds up the broken-hearted with the promise of reunion in heaven. He comforts mourners with the assurance of life everlasting for his blood-bought saints. Now we are called to obey the Holy Spirit by sharing the message of a Savior from sorrows and the Messiah to mourners. 

The fourth verse: “Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing; God's power will make us strong.”  

Obeying the Spirit’s call means you cannot remain idle. Burst forth in song like the mountains. Rise up like eagles taking wing. Nothing can stop you. Nothing can intimidate you. Nothing can keep you from carrying out the message of the Messiah’s mission. For God’s power makes you strong.  

Listen to Arise, Your Light is Come this week. Then hear it again this Sunday in worship. Obey the Spirit’s call by showing forth your Savior’s Epiphany light.   

Arise, your light is come! 

https://youtu.be/KoHkmJDazDk 

#1 - Hymn 377 - To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord

The hymnal is not only meant to be used by the family in church before the Lord’s altar. It is also meant for the family to bring the Lord’s altar into the home. The hymns we sing in church are prayers that are set to music. They can be much more memorable than a sermon. As a pastor I know that the people in the pews most likely aren’t going to be talking about my sermon theme or bullet points when they leave church. Instead, they will be singing the familiar refrains from the hymns on their way home from church.  

I am encouraging all of you to use the hymnal as part of your personal and family devotions. To assist you in your devotional life, every week I will write and record a devotion on the Hymn of the Day for the upcoming worship service. I’ll be using the hymns in the new blue Christian Worship Hymnal. The Hymn of the Day is the central hymn that we will be using in the majority of our Lutheran churches during the Christian Church Year. It is the hymn that best carries the theme of that particular Sunday’s worship.  

This Sunday is the first Sunday after the Epiphany. It is a yearly celebration of Christ’s baptism. This week’s Hymn of the Day is Christian Worship #377 – To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord.  

The first verse reads: “To Jordan’s river came our Lord, The Christ, whom heav’nly hosts adored, The God from God, the Light from Light, The Lord of glory, pow’r, and might.” 

Jesus began his ministry by coming to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptizer. As we recite in the Nicene Creed, Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.  

The second verse: “The Savior came to be baptized—The Son of God in flesh disguised—To stand beneath the Father’s will And all his promises fulfill.” Jesus is God’s Son covered in human flesh and blood. Because Jesus is perfect, he doesn’t need to be baptized. Instead, he submits to his Father’s will by accepting a sinner’s baptism upon the holy Son of God. 

The third verse: “As Jesus in the Jordan stood And John baptized the Lamb of God, The Holy Spirit, heav’nly dove, Descended on him from above.” Already in the waters of the Jordan River, Jesus is fulfilling his role as the sacrificial and substitutionary Lamb of God.  

The fourth verse: “Then from God’s throne with thund’rous sound Came God’s own voice with words profound: ‘This is my Son,’ was his decree, ‘The one I love, who pleases me.’” Upon Jesus’ baptism, the Father announces for all his heavenly host to hear, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with you” (Luke 3:22). God the Father is pleased with his Son’s divine vocation as the world’s Redeemer.  

The fifth verse: “The Father’s word, the Spirit’s flight Anointed Christ in glorious sight As God’s own choice, from Adam’s fall To save the world and free us all.” It is the mystery of the Triune God that all three persons are present at Jesus’ baptism – yet they remain distinct – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is speaking from heaven. God the Son is in the water. God the Holy Spirit is hovering over the waters in the form of a dove. All three persons of the Trinity delight in their unity of working to save the world from sin and free us from slavery to the devil.  

Then comes our Christian response to Christ in the water. The sixth and final verse: “Now rise, faint hearts: be resolute! This man is Christ, our substitute! He was baptized in Jordan’s stream, Proclaimed Redeemer, Lord supreme.”  

Play To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord on YouTube. Then hear it again this Sunday in worship. Allow the music and words of the composer and author move the hearts and minds of God’s people. Let your faint heart be resolute.  

To God be the glory! 

https://youtu.be/1lRd5ZGmcwo