CW 827 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing

CW 827 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing

Next to Martin Luther, the author of this hymn – Paul Gerhardt – is perhaps the best known and loved of all Lutheran hymnwriters. He has authored approximately 125 hymns, about 20 of which are in the blue hymnal (Christian Worship 2021).

Gerhardt originally wrote 18 stanzas to this hymn. His thought was not to sing them all at once, but to spread them throughout the worship service. Two previous Lutheran hymnals trimmed that number down to only 6 stanzas. Our current hymnal combines those six stanzas into three and pairs it with a newer melody which you may not yet be familiar with.

The hymn is in the “Trust” section of the hymnal which will come to you as no surprise once you read its verses. Joyfully trust in our gracious God is the theme of this hymn.

Verse 1: Rejoice, my heart, be glad and sing, a cheerful trust maintain; for God, the source of ev’rything, your treasure shall remain. Why spend the day in blank despair, in restless thought the night? On your Creator cast your care; he makes your burdens light.

What a perfect verse for the wandering Israelites! This coming Sunday’s First Reading is taken from Exodus 16 where the Israelites are facing some uncertain times while traveling in the wilderness. Their trust in God and in Moses and Aaron wavered so much that they thought they were better off being enslaved!

Be honest with yourself. Your trust in God has wavered at times too. But God always comes through, doesn’t he? Just as he rained down manna and quail for the Israelites, he rains down countless blessing on you too. So, cheerfully trust God. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Trusting in God lightens your load.

Verse 2: Did not his love and truth and pow’r guard ev’ry childhood day? And did he not in threat’ning hour turn dreaded ills away? He always will with patience chide, his rod falls gently down; and all your sins he casts aside in ocean depths to drown.

When Gerhardt was very young, his father died. When he was 30 he was affected by the Thirty Years’ War during which the Swedish army burned his house, church, and town to the ground. Despite these tragedies, Gerhardt experienced the Lord’s loving protection. And so do you. Day by day the Lord protects you from things you are not even aware of. The Psalmist (121:7) reminds us: “The Lord will watch to keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life.”

He watches over your life in another way: through discipline. Sin, when it is unchecked, can take over your heart and life. You need the Lord to interject and point out to you when you stray. When he brings your sin to your attention, he doesn’t punish you. Rather, he takes that

sin away, casting it into the deepest ocean where it can never do you any harm. (See Micah 7:18m19)

Verse 3: His wisdom never plans in vain nor falters nor mistakes; all that his counsels may ordain a blessèd ending makes. Upon your lips, then, lay your hand, and trust his guiding love; then like a rock your peace shall stand here and in heav’n above

Since the world was created, people have searched for wisdom. People like Plato, Confucius, and Ghandi are revered for their wisdom and still studied today. Their wisdom cannot compare to God’s. God’s wisdom never fails. God in his wisdom sent his Son to save us. Through his Son, he accomplished the peace which surpasses all understanding. Peace with God both now and in heaven above. You certainly cannot comprehend all of God’s wisdom, but you can be reassured that God is always planning and working for your good.

You have every reason to trust God. Trust him to provide for you. Trust him to protect you. Trust him to forgive you. Trust in his wisdom. Trust in his love which saved you and now guides you.

CW 756 Shepherd of Tender Youth

Our hymn for this week is hymn 756, Shepherd of Tender Youth.

The ninth Sunday after Pentecost, year B, focuses on Jesus’ compassion for people as the good shepherd. In our gospel lesson for this weekend, Jesus sees the crowds of people harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The compassionate shepherd’s heart of Jesus is what led him to go to the cross and pay for our sins. And it’s that tender, loving heart that this hymn so beautifully focuses on.

The hymn is one of the oldest hymns in our hymnal, and is attributed to one of the church fathers, Clement of Alexandria, who lived between 170 and 220 AD. Its beloved verses have long been used to remind singers of the wonderful shepherd who is a lifelong protector and caretaker of his sheep. Let’s now focus on those beloved words.

Verse 1: Shepherd of tender youth, guiding in love and truth through devious ways, Christ, our triumphant King, we come your name to sing and here our children bring to join your praise.

There’s no doubt about it, we live in a very devious world. It’s hard to know who or what to trust when the truth is so easily twisted to advertise a certain product or endorse a certain individual. In our own lives, it can be difficult to try and determine what’s best for us, our families, and our churches. We need a guide to show us the way. And thanks be to God we have one in our good shepherd. He has been our guide from a very young age. He is always there with his word and sacrament to draw us closer to him and to remind us he will always be there. That’s why we join together to praise him every Sunday. That’s why we bring our families to know his truth. He is our triumphant king who fought and won for us and gives us confidence he will be with us through all of life’s devious ways.

Verse 2: You are the holy Lord, Christ, the incarnate Word, healer of strife. You did yourself abase that from sin’s deep disgrace you might thus save our race and give us life.

Jesus is the good shepherd who laid his life down for the sheep. But he is so much more than that, as we see in this verse. He is first and foremost Lord. Through him all things were made, and he is the head over every earthly ruler and authority. He is the Christ, the anointed one, who was chosen to be our savior and redeemer. He is the incarnate word, who became flesh and dwelt among us to be our brother. And he is a healer of strife. Christ brings a peace that surpasses understanding. He brings his love and forgiveness, which calms even the most restless and bitter hearts. Despite being all these great and powerful things, Christ, who had no sin lowered himself and became sin for us so that we might live. Truly we have a unique and wonderful good shepherd!

Verse 3: You are the great High Priest; you have prepared the feast of holy love; and in our mortal pain none calls on you in vain; our plea do not disdain; help from above.

As the good shepherd, Jesus provides for our needs both earthly and spiritual. Here, we see how our good shepherd cares for both of those things. First, he feeds us at a feast not of earthly food and drink, but of love! Through word and sacrament, we are sustained and kept in his church, and his love is poured out on us freely. Every day, every week, every time we come to him seeking forgiveness we find not just a simple reply, but a feast of love laid out for us, where we can eat and have our full! This feast of love that is so readily available is what leads us to have such confidence that our pleas for earthly aid are not in vain. We have a heavenly helper who is all too glad to share, and will never turn away those who come to him seeking forgiveness.

Verse 4: O ever be our guide, our shepherd and our pride, our staff and song. Jesus, O Christ of God, by your enduring Word lead us where you have trod; make our faith strong.

There are two kinds of leaders: those who lead with their words, or those who lead by example. One leader will simply tell you what to do and expect you to figure it out. The other will show you how it’s done. Jesus is the latter of the two. Jesus came into this world to suffer and die for us, fully paying the price for our sins once and for all. This forgiveness is given to us freely, and we aren’t expected to have to work for it. It’s in this free and full forgiveness that Jesus leads us in lives of sanctification. He is the author and perfector of our faith, who leads us and guides us during our brief time on this earth. Through his enduring word, which will never pass away until he comes again, we are led and shown how to be Christian lights in a world of darkness. Jesus is the one who accomplishes this in us, and who makes our faith strong until we at last finish the race and make it home to heaven.

Verse 5: So now and till we die sound we your praises high and joyful sing: infants and all the throng who to your Church belong, unite to swell the song to Christ, our King

One of the most powerful and inspiring images in the bible is the picture of the host of heaven in Revelation 7. There are people there from every nation, tribe, people, and language, all joining in praise to the lamb who sits on the throne. Such a host no one can count, and it’s that host that you and I and all other Christians are a part of. When we worship on earth together, parents and children, brothers and sisters, friends and strangers, we are taking part in that great song. What an amazing picture! Our good shepherd has brought so many into his fold, and he allows even small children to join in praising him for his free gift of salvation! May we, until we are called home, never tire of singing that amazing song.

Truly we have a good shepherd who is so unlike anything else in this world. He freely gives us so much, and never expects anything in return. His compassion is what moves us to share that love with others. To rejoice in his grace and to share in that grace with others. May this hymn serve as a reminder first of how we are richly and fully cared for. But may it also lead us to wish to show that same care and concern for others. May we, too, show that same tenderhearted shepherd in our own words and actions while we still can. May we always remember that shepherd of tender youth, who has been with us and will be with us for our entire earthly journey. Amen.

CW 897 Lord Jesus You Have Come

Our hymn devotion for this week is Hymn 897 - Lord Jesus, You Have Come.

The eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, focuses our attention on God’s gospel servants being sent out to preach the gospel. This theme is the central, beating heart of the Christian church. We are called to proclaim the gospel! And what a wonderful opportunity that is, to share with others the good news that we are forgiven and eternal life is ours through faith in Christ Jesus!

But the task of spreading the gospel message isn’t an easy one. Jesus has told us that the world will hate us and our message, just as it hated him. Christians must work against three bitter rivals of the gospel message: the devil, the world, and the sinful flesh of those hearing our gospel message. Proclaiming the gospel can get so very discouraging.

There’s also fear involved. Fear of rejection, ridicule, or even fear of being ignored are all strong factors that fight against the gospel ministry. “How will they react when I tell them?” “Will I lose a friend or an opportunity if I tell them about Jesus now?” “I’ve told them this before, how much is too much? When do I wait, and when do I speak?” These are all questions any Christian trying to proclaim the gospel has struggled with.

In response to all these enemies, doubts, and fears, we have an amazing answer from our God in heaven: we have been sent with God’s own authority! Jesus clearly tells us that he is the one sending us out and he will be with us. He also promises to send his Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the words to say when the time is right.

Our hymn for this week is a great encouragement to us in this gospel ministry. It focuses our attention on how Jesus came first, he preached the gospel first, and as the Word of God made flesh for us, he is ultimately the one responsible for the gospel message. He gives us these precious words of life and gives us the authority and the opportunity to go out and proclaim that gospel message to others.

Verse 1:

Lord Jesus, you have come a teacher sent from heaven, and by both word and deed, God’s truth to us have given. You wisely have ordained the holy ministry that we, your flock, may know the truth that sets us free.

Those familiar with the G.I. Joe action figures might also know a tagline from the G.I. Joe TV show: “Knowing is half the battle!” Sun Tzu also reflected this in his well-known work “The Art of War” with the phrase: "if you know yourself and your enemy, then you need not fear the outcome of a thousand battles.” For a soldier or a general to be effective, they must know their own strengths and weaknesses and the strengths and weaknesses of their enemies. In our task as Christians, we must also know our own strengths and weaknesses and the strengths and weaknesses of our enemies. Our greatest strength is the knowledge that our fight is already won! Our enemy has already been defeated! We have been set free from the bondage of sin and given eternal life! Never forget this amazing truth that sets us free. With this knowledge, we go out and preach the gospel.

Verse 2: O blessèd ministry of reconciliation, that shows the way to God and brings to us salvation! Lord, by your gospel pure you bless and keep your fold, you call, enlighten, keep, you comfort and uphold.

A well-known aphorism is “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” By this, people mean that it’s important to make sure that your own needs are taken care of before you see to the needs of others. With the recent rise of mental health and wellness, people are learning that they can’t always help unless they’ve been helped first. To put this into Christian terms, a person can’t preach the gospel until they’ve been preached to first. Through the preaching of the gospel, God’s servants are brought to God and washed in his forgiveness and redemption. This verse lists the many different ways God’s people are filled up and encouraged by the gospel! The gospel calls, enlightens, keeps, comforts, and upholds Christians. If we want to go out and preach the gospel, we need to be fed on the gospel first.

Verse 3:

Preserve this ministry while harvest days are keeping; and since the fields are ripe and hands are few for reaping; send workers forth, O Lord, the sheaves to gather in, that not a soul be lost which you have come to win.

Jesus’ words about the harvest and the workers are very familiar to us these days. As churches and schools across America face pastor and teacher shortages, many are left scratching their heads and wondering what can we do if we don’t have called gospel ministers to go out and proclaim the gospel. The answer is found right here in this verse, hiding in plain sight. We pray that God would preserve his ministry! God has promised that his word will go out and will not return to him empty. So, we take him at his word and we trust that he will continue to do exactly that. But at the same time, we also recognize that God has placed us in unique situations where we, not a pastor or a teacher, can tell someone about Jesus. Through prayer and trust, we can all go out and gather the sheaves from Jesus’ harvest field, so that no one is lost.

Verse 4:

The servants you have called and to your Church are giving, preserve in doctrine pure and holiness of living. Your Spirit fill their hearts and charge their words with pow’r; what they should boldly speak, O give them in that hour!

The prophet Zechariah has a well-known phrase that is quoted in the gospels: Strike the shepherd and the flock will scatter. Pastors and teachers make excellent targets for the devil’s evil attacks. He knows that if he can get a leader in the church to fall, the souls they are responsible for will likely follow. This is why God’s people need to keep their pastors and teachers in their prayers! But again, there is an active role they can play in this as well. Through words of encouragement like cards, posts on social media, even kind comments in the narthex on Sunday morning, God’s people can fill their pastors and teachers with those words of power that the Savior has given us. May we all remember to keep our pastors and teachers in our thoughts and prayers, and to encourage them and work with them in the gospel ministry to which all of us have been called.

Verse 5:

Bring those into your fold who still to you are strangers; guard those who are within against offense and dangers. Press onward with your Word till pastor and his fold through faith in you, O Christ, your glory shall behold.

One of the best pictures to describe a church is used by Jesus in the gospels: we are a sheep pen! We have been called out of the dangers of the world around us and brought into safety together as a church. We have a Good Shepherd who looks out for us, and undershepherds who assist in the gospel ministry. But just because we’re in the sheep pen doesn’t mean we’re free from danger. People can wander off. Predators can get in. The flock can shrink as people go home to heaven. That’s why the flock needs to be looking for strangers on the outside of the sheep pen! That’s why they need to guard and protect against false doctrine! How is the flock able to do this? Through the preaching of the Word! When we’re fed on the Word we will naturally want to share that word with others. And when we’re fed on the Word, we know how to sense dangers and stay away from them! May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, keep us protected and fed until we’re safely home in heaven with him.

The gospel ministry is a team effort. Just like a body can’t be all eyes or ears or hands, so too, a church can’t be only the pastors and teachers preaching the gospel. God has sent us all out with the authority of Jesus! And each of us will have opportunities to preach the gospel at the proper place and time. Think of how many people your pastor might interact with within a week. A couple dozen? A hundred? Several hundred? Now think of how many people everyone sitting in church on Sunday morning interacts with within one week. Thousands! There are so many opportunities for us to extend the gospel ministry by telling someone we know about Jesus. May Jesus give us the strength and the knowledge to choose the proper time and place to tell someone about him. And may he encourage us and keep us strong in the faith during our time on this earth, until he brings us at last to the joys of heaven. Amen.

CW 639: God Has Spoken by His Prophets

CW 639: God Has Spoken by His Prophets

How do we know the will of God? Sometimes things happen in our lives that are difficult for us to understand. We don’t know why God allows certain trials and hardships to occur. Or we may be facing a difficult decision and would like God to tell us what to do. In those times we may want a direct answer from God. Wouldn’t it be great if God would speak to us directly? God has not promised that he will speak to us directly, but he has promised he will speak to us through his Word.

God Has Spoken by His Prophets is a hymn that praises God for revealing his Word to us through the Prophets and the Apostles. The Bible is an amazing blessing that our God has given to us. In it, we learn his will. We learn of our sinfulness and that we can do nothing to save ourselves. We also see the beauty of the Gospel that while we were still sinners God sent his one and only Son to offer his perfect life as a sacrifice for our sins. We praise God for this glorious gift and praise God for the Prophets he spoke his Word to us.

Verse 1: God has spoken by his prophets, spoken his unchanging Word, each from age to age proclaiming God, the one, the righteous Lord. In the world’s despair and turmoil one firm anchor holds us fast: God is King, his throne eternal, God the first and God the last.

If there is one constant in this world it’s that things change. The world is constantly changing: one season flows into another, people are born, grow, and die, and nations rise and fall. In all this change, there is one thing that does not change: the Word of God. God’s Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This verse also reminds us that as we face times of despair and turmoil we can cling to God’s Word. In the Word, we find hope and comfort. In the Word, we find the unalterable truth that God loves us and will never leave us or forsake us. Praise be to God for giving the sure and certain foundation of his Word.

Verse 2: God has spoken by Christ Jesus, Christ, the everlasting Son, brightness of the Father’s glory, with the Father ever one; spoken by the Word incarnate, God from God, before time was; Light from Light, to earth descending, he reveals our God to us.

God’s Word is a record of his love for us. From the first verses of Genesis to the last verses of Revelation we see God’s great and abounding love. We see this love most fully in Christ. God sent his one and only Son to humble himself and be born of a virgin. Christ lived a perfect life in our place and then offered that perfect life as a sacrifice to pay for our sins. Jesus was able to do this because he was both true God and true man. God’s Word is the only place we learn of the sacrifice of Christ. It is only with the revelation of the Word that we can come to faith and believe in Christ as our Lord. God’s Word is clear that salvation is found in Christ alone. Praise be to God that he has given us the written Word that so clearly shows us our Savior.

Verse 3: God is speaking by his Spirit, speaking to our hearts again, in the ageless Word declaring his own message, now as then. Thro’ the rise and fall of nations one sure faith is standing fast: God abides, his Word unchanging, God the first and God the last.

Verse 3 reminds us that God speaks to our hearts through his Word. As we read the Word of God, we see the heart and mind of God. We learn God’s will and how he desires us to live our lives. God’s Word serves as a steady and constant guide for our lives. God’s Word never changes. The truths of sin and salvation were true in the Garden of Eden, and they remain true in our world today. God’s will does not change. As we walk through this world, we will face trials and dangers on every side. We will be tempted and hard-pressed. As we face this dark world we can cling to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. God’s Word is powerful, and it will remain forever.

God Has Spoken by His Prophets is a beautiful reminder of the power of God’s Word. Unlike every other book that has ever been written God’s Word has the power to change lives. It has the amazing power to bring those who are spiritually dead and make them alive in Christ. In a world that is constantly changing God’s Word remains an unchanging foundation of life and truth. We praise God for the blessing of his Word. We marvel at how he has preserved his Word during the long centuries since the creation of the world. We cling to this unshakeable foundation as we continue our pilgrimage in this life and look forward to our crown of glory.

CW93 433 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

CW93 433 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

This week, instead of looking at a hymn in our blue hymnal, we will look at a hymn from Christian Worship 1993 that did not make the cut in our new hymnal. Considering the readings chosen for this coming Sunday at First Evan. Lutheran Church, the hymn is very appropriate.

Summertime evokes the thoughts of travel and recreation on the water including cruises, fishing, kayaking, and trips to the beach.

The author of the hymn had men who made their living on the sea in mind since he first anonymously published this hymn in six stanzas in The Sailor’s Magazine in 1871. The author was later revealed as Edward Hopper, a Presbyterian minister who served three parishes, the last one being the Church of Sea and Land in New York City where he served sailors.

The sea imagery used by the author makes the hymn easily relatable even if one has little or no experience with manning a vessel on the water.

Verse 1: Jesus, Savior, pilot me Over life’s tempestuous sea;

Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal.

Chart and compass come from thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

Summer brings thunderstorms and threats of tornadoes. We often experience those in the safety of our own homes. Experiencing a storm on the water is an entirely different experience as the boat is tossed around by the winds and the waves and the occupants hold on for dear life.

The disciples experienced that as they were crossing the Sea of Galilee. See Mark 4:35-41. Their boat began to quickly fill up with water. They thought their ship was going down, so what did they do? They turned to Jesus who was sleeping.

Life is like a “tempestuous sea.” Just ask the Apostle Paul. You can read about Paul’s experience with a storm in Acts 27:13-26. Of course, the storm at sea paled in comparison to the persecution he faced. What ‘storms’ have you had to deal with? Whatever they might be, remember who is steering the ship. It’s your Savior, Jesus.

Verse 2: As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild.

Boist’rous waves obey thy will When thou say’st to them, “Be still!”

Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

I’ve seen it on countless occasions. A fussy baby is handed back to mom and immediately stops crying. The disciples turned to Jesus in the storm because they knew he was their best shot to calming their nerves and surviving the storm.

Jesus proved them right. With just the simple command “Peace! Be still!” the storm instantly subsided. They were safe.

What does this teach us? It teaches us that Jesus is all powerful. As the Second Person of the Trinity, he was there as Job 38 says when the foundation of the earth was laid and the earth’s dimensions were determined.

When we are in the middle of a tornado warning or a family crisis, we need only remember the one who has absolute power over the winds and the waves is the one watching over us. Our hearts can be still, knowing that Jesus has hushed sin’s threat to condemn us by taking sin and its condemnation on himself. So even in the middle of a storm, our hearts can be at peace knowing that Jesus has taken care of our most crucial need.

Verse 3: When at last I near the shore And the fearful breakers roar

‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on thy breast,

May I hear thee say to me, “Fear not! I will pilot thee.”

Think of life as a journey from earth to heaven. It is as if you are put in a boat through baptism that gives you a good start on your journey to the other side. Once that happens, God doesn’t just say “Okay. Good luck. You’re on your own.”

No, he provides us with a pilot. A pilot who will see us safely through the storms and troubles of this life. A pilot who knows the way because he is the Way. And even when we near the other side, when we face our own mortality, our pilot, Jesus, tells us that there is nothing to fear. Our pilot’s own resurrection has taken the sting out of death, assuring us that we also will rise and will live with him forever.

The Sea of Galilee is my favorite spot to visit in the Holy Land. Unlike most of the other places a tourist goes to, one can say with 100% certainty that Jesus was there on the water. The first time I floated on the Sea of Galilee, I sang this wonderful little hymn – “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” – with 20 other pastors. How appropriate! Just as Jesus piloted several of the disciples’ journeys back to shore, Jesus is the one who still pilots you and me.

CW 865 - O Lord, Take Pity Once You've Seen

CW 865 - O Lord, Take Pity Once You've Seen

This Sunday, our congregation of Water of Life Lutheran Church is celebrating the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession. During the time of the Lutheran Reformation in Germany, the Emperor and the Pope had the power to arrest and kill anyone who disagreed with them. The Lutherans decided there was only one thing to do – confess.

On June 25, 1530, a group of faithful Lutheran princes and electors met in Augsburg, Germany, to present the confession of their faith to Charles V, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. These were not theologians that were standing before the Emperor. They were courageous Lutheran laymen – like yourselves. They confessed their faith and told the Emperor and the Roman Church what they believed, taught, and confessed. They relied on the promise of God’s Word, as contained in Psalm 119:46, “Then I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and I will not be put to shame.” The Augsburg Confession was presented as a statement of biblical truth and a proposal for true unity in the Christian faith. It has never been withdrawn or found in error.

This Sunday, as we celebrate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, we sing “O Lord, Take Pity Once You’ve Seen.” This is an old hymn written in German by Martin Luther. It was made new and available to us through the translation of Michael Schultz into English.

Verse one: O Lord, take pity once you’ve seen what’s leaving us so shaken: your saints are few and far between— we feel we’ve been forsaken. So many call your Word untrue, refusing to believe in you—they have us far outnumbered.

The Augsburg Confession was presented 494 years ago. Things haven’t really changed all that much in five centuries and an ocean away. There are plenty of people today who would say: stop arguing about theology; stop worrying about silly religious disagreements; about right and wrong; about how one is saved; and by whom. That stuff doesn’t matter. Let’s all just get along and do what’s really important. (Whatever they think is really important. Whatever the current issues of the day are. Whatever battles the social justice warriors think are worth fighting for.) That’s kind of what the Emperor was saying 494 years ago.

Our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations confess subscription to the Augsburg Confession. We use it in our youth and adult confirmation classes, along with Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms as faithful explanations of Scripture. Every teacher and pastor in our church body has stood before their church’s altar and sworn faithfulness to the Word of God as explained in our Lutheran Confessions. They are asked, “Do you accept the statement and exposition of that Word of God in the Ecumenical Creeds, namely, the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and in the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, namely, the Augsburg Confession and its Apology, the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord—as these are contained in the Book of Concord?” They confess: “Yes, I believe and

confess these creeds and confessions as my own because they are in accord with the Word of God. I also reject the errors they condemn.”

As churches in our little Wisconsin Synod, we may feel greatly outnumbered. As God’s saints, we may feel few and far between. As Christ’s followers, we may feel forsaken. But for centuries, by God’s grace, the saints who have gone before us have clearly proclaimed the Scriptures and rightly administered the Sacraments. We pray for God’s grace upon the saints who come during the centuries after us to continue to cling to the Augsburg Confession.

Verse two: May God root out all those who teach religion that is twisted, who say with bold, defiant speech: “We cannot be resisted. For we alone have right and might; our views are welcomed with delight. To whom must we now answer?”

There are many in our culture – sadly, many who call themselves Christian – who say that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe in Jesus. They say this so that they can discount Jesus’ teachings and make room for their abhorrent lifestyle choices and decadence. They subtract what Scripture says about sexuality, marriage, and the roles of men and women. They add to what Scripture says about creation, the way to heaven, and the reality of hell.

Verse three: Therefore God says: “I won’t delay! My people’s hopes are waning. Their sighs disclose their great dismay; I’ve heard their sad complaining. My healing Word will work as planned, will bring relief, will make them stand, will strengthen and uphold them.”

There is a historic saying in Lutheranism that the Church stands and falls on the article of justification. “Justification” means “to declare righteous.” The fourth article of the Augsburg Confession emphasizes: “Our churches teach that people cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works. People are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. By His death, Christ made satisfaction for our sins. God counts this faith for righteousness in His sight.”

This article teaches that what we cannot do for ourselves, Christ has done for us. He is the solid Rock on which God builds his Church. In him, and him alone, we stand forgiven. It is this Word of God – and particularly the doctrine of justification – that brings healing to our sin-sick souls, that provides relief when we despair of our sinfulness, and strength when we realize how weak we are on our own.

Verse four: Dear Lord, the godless gather round the guides whose teachings suit them. Within your Church let there be found the courage to refute them. Preserve your Word and keep it pure, and thus we shall remain secure from evils that surround us!

“Doctrine” is almost looked upon as a bad word in our American Christian climate. But doctrine is the answer to Jesus’ own questions: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

CW 871 Rise to Arms With Prayer Employ You

CW 871 - Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You

Being a believer is not easy. The Bible tells us that we will face many trials before we enter the Kingdom of God. We are hard-pressed by enemies on all sides. The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh are constantly warring against us. This unending struggle is a burden that we must bear every day of our lives and often it seems like the forces of evil are winning.

As we look at our world today, we may be tempted to wonder if God is really in control. The church seems to be shrinking and the number of unbelievers seems to be growing. Every time we watch the news or scroll through social media it seems like the number of wars and natural disasters is increasing. We may be tempted to despair and wonder why God is letting things get so bad. In these times of trial, it is important to remember several things. First, God has told us that the world will increase in wickedness until the End and the love of most will grow cold. Therefore, we should not be surprised when we see this happening.

But far more importantly we remember that even though it may look like the devil is winning, he has already lost. Christ completely and utterly defeated him by his death and resurrection. On the cross, Christ crushed the head of the Ancient Serpent and on Easter morning Christ shattered the gates of death and hell. Our victory is won! Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You is a rousing hymn of encouragement. It reminds us of the spiritual battle we face every day of our lives, but it also reminds us of the absolute victory of our Savior. The German hymnologist Edward Kock described this hymn as “a call to arms for spiritual conflict and victory.”

Verse 1: Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you, O Christians, lest the foe destroy you, for Satan has designed your fall. Wield God’s Word, a weapon glorious; against each foe you’ll be victorious, for God will set you o’er them all. Fear not the prince of hell, here is Immanuel! Sing hosanna! The strong ones yield to Christ, our shield, and we as conqu’rors hold the field.

Satan is our ancient and evil enemy. When he rebelled against God he was cast out of heaven and condemned to eternal suffering in hell. He is filled with anger, hate, and rage. His only desire is to lead as many people as possible away from God and condemn them to the same torment that he must endure. Satan hates God and he hates the followers of God. He wants to destroy and kill us. In John 8:44 Jesus tells us the devil was “a murderer from the beginning.” On our own, we could never defeat the power of the devil. But we are not alone because God is fighting on our side. We do not need to fear the prince of hell because God sent his one and only Son to save the world from sin. Christ has defeated the devil and given us victory.

Question: Read Ephesians 6:10-20. What weapons has the Lord given us to resist the attacks of Satan?

Verse 2: Cast afar this world’s vain pleasure and boldly strive for heav’nly treasure. Be steadfast in the Savior’s might. Trust the Lord, who stands beside you, for Jesus from all harm will hide you. By faith you’ll conquer in the fight. Take courage, weary soul! Look forward to the goal! Joy awaits you. The race, then, run; your battle done, the crown of glory will be won.

We face a spiritual battle every day of our lives. We are tempted by the pleasures of this world and at times give into temptation and fall into sin. But when we repent of our sins, we remember that all the treasures of this world are nothing in comparison to the glory that awaits us in heaven. This is why we remain steadfast in our fight. We know the glory that awaits us. We also know that we are not alone in this fight. Our Savior is at our side. On our own, we cannot win the fight against Satan, but we don’t need to because Christ has already won our victory. This is why we press on toward the goal of eternal life.

Question: What are some of the empty promises that the world makes to us?

Verse 3: Jesus, all your children cherish, and keep them that they never perish whom you have purchased with your blood. Let new life to us be given that we may look to you in heaven whenever fearful is our mood. Your Spirit on us pour that we may love you more, hearts o’erflowing; and then shall we, from sin set free, sing praise through all eternity.

As we face times of struggle and hardship in our lives we may wonder if God truly loves us. This verse reminds us of the amazing price that God paid to save us. Christ offered his very life to purchase you with his blood. Think about that. You were purchased with the holy, precious blood of God himself! We did nothing to earn or deserve this amazing gift that has been given to us. God redeemed us because he loved us. He has forgiven our sins and given us the promise of eternal life with him. As we face the darkness and evil of this world we rejoice and remember the joy that is ours in Christ alone.

Question: How does God pour out his Spirit on us?

Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You is a stirring hymn of comfort. It reminds us of the danger we face every day from the attacks of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. It encourages us to find strength and comfort in our salvation and in the Word of God as we face temptation and trial. This hymn also reminds us that the battle will be fierce at times, but the war has already been won. Christ has given us the victory. Satan can no longer harm us because the power of Christ has destroyed him. We do not need to fear death because Christ has given us the gift of eternal life.

CW 703 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

CW 703 – I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

These verses were penned by Horatius Bonar and it is one of his eight hymns contained in Christian Worship Hymnal 2021. Published in 1846, he had written it with children in mind which is evident with the concepts that he used: rest, water, and light. Such simple concepts that even a young child can understand them.

Of course, the author was simply taking his cue from the Master Teacher himself. Jesus used concepts in his teaching that transcend the generations. Each verse of the hymn is, in part, a paraphrase of an invitation or encouragement of Jesus and how the Christian benefits from it.

Verse 1: I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.

Jesus’ well-known invitation for rest is recorded in Matthew 11:28. What is it that wears us down? You name it. We are worn down by the daily drumbeat of bad news. Our bodies are wracked with pain caused by illness and disease. Disappointment heaped on disappointment greet us regularly.

All these things come as a result of living in a sinful world and having hearts full of sin. There is only one place we can truly get rest from the sin in our lives and in our world, and that’s Jesus. Jesus has overcome sin through his sacrifice on the cross. He promises that he will not hold our sin against us anymore. That news is so important that it needs to be repeated over and over. We need to regularly go to Jesus to make our hearts glad.

Verse 2: I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water, thirsty one; stoop down and drink and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.

In John chapter 4, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well and uses the prop of water to drive his point across. Read verses 1-42 to see that exchange.

A person can live up to three weeks without food, as long as they have water. Survival time plummets without water. A person can only survive 3 days without it. In terms of our soul, Jesus is like water. What he provides us is life-giving. Jesus even includes the substance of water when he brought us into his kingdom through Baptism. And his Word is a well of fresh water where we can quench our soul’s thirst. Without the water Jesus provides, we cannot have life in his kingdom. That’s why it is so important that we daily drink from that life-giving stream.

Verse 3: I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light. Look unto me; your morn shall rise and all your day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun; and in that light of life I’ll walk till trav’ling days are done.

Imagine that you are placed into the middle a forest you’ve never been to before. It’s the middle of the night and it’s pitch black. You don’t know what dangers lurk nor do you know your way out. What do you need? For starters, you need light. Light from a flashlight or your phone; light from the moon; or light from the sun.

When we are born into this world, that’s the way life was for us. We were in an unknown place that is completely dark. But Christ enlightened our hearts and made us want to turn to him in good days and bad days. It is the light of his Word that helps us navigate through each day. When we have choices to make, we shine the light of Christ on them to help guide us to what best serves to glorify God. And Jesus clearly shows us that our only way safely to the other side of this life and to the glories of heaven is through him.

There are many voices that compete for our attention each day. Remember to regularly to listen to the voice of Jesus. Not only does he have a whole lot to say, but he tells us everything that we truly need to know.

CW 586 Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

CW 586 - Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

“Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest” is an ancient hymn. It dates to the tenth century as a Latin hymn entitled “Veni, Creator Spiritus.”

Verse one: Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and make our hearts your place of rest; come with your grace and heav’nly aid, and fill the hearts which you have made.

This hymn poetically lays out the work of the Holy Spirit in six verses. It isn’t until the final verse when there is a response from the Christian as to the work of the Holy Spirit. That response is in the form of a doxology – a verse of praise to the Triune God. It is a wonderful prayer about the work of the Holy Spirit.

Verse one references that the Holy Spirit was active in creation, along with the Father and the Son. As the Holy Spirit made the turbulent waters of creation calm, so we ask him to make our turbulent hearts places of rest.

Verse two: To you, the Counselor, we cry, to you, the gift of God most high, the fount of life, the fire of love, the soul’s anointing from above.

Perhaps you have sought the help of a counselor to repair your marriage, or a counselor to overcome your addiction, or a counselor to help you find peace with your troubled childhood. As beneficial as those counselors may be, the Holy Spirit is the Counselor to whom we can always cry out. Through his counseling, he brings into our lives the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23).

Verse three: In you, with graces sevenfold, we God’s almighty hand behold while you with tongues of fire proclaim to all the world his holy name.

Verse three references the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11 references the seven gifts the Holy Spirit gives to the coming Messiah. “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will be delighted with the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, nor will he render decisions based on what he hears with his ears, but with righteousness he will judge the poor” (Isaiah 11:2-4). The sevenfold gifts of the Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and righteousness. As the Spirit gave these gifts to the Messiah, we pray for these same sevenfold gifts to come upon the followers of the Messiah. To come upon us with the same fire and fervor that these gifts were given to the first apostles that first Pentecost as tongues of fire rested on their heads.

Verse four: Your light to ev’ry thought impart, and shed your love in ev’ry heart; the weakness of our mortal state with deathless might invigorate.

Verse four poetically emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit to do what we cannot do for ourselves – have light, have love, or even have true life. Martin Luther summarizes the work of the Holy Spirit in the explanation of the third article in his Small Catechism: “The Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”

Verse five: Drive far away our wily foe, and your abiding peace bestow; with you as our protecting guide, no evil can with us abide.

We are weak. We easily fall into temptation by the wily foe of Satan. We are feeble and easily become troubled. We are pathetic and get lost. We need the Holy Spirit to drive away the devil, abide with us in peace, and be our protecting guide. He does this, as Luther explains by “daily and fully [forgiving] all sins to me and all believers.”

Verse six: Teach us to know the Father, Son, and you, from both, as Three in One that we your name may ever bless and in our lives the truth confess.

We do not know the Triune God on our own. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith and then keep us in that faith through the Means of Grace – the Gospel in Word and Sacraments. As Luther explains, “I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.”

Verse seven: Praise we the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit, with them One, and may the Son on us bestow the gifts that from the Spirit flow!

After laying out the work of the Holy Spirit, now we burst forth with a joyous doxology to the Trinity in response to what our Triune God has done in bestowing the gifts of the Spirit on us. This Sunday as we celebrate the Holy Trinity – and every ordinary day as we live in the mercy of our Triune God – let us pray, “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest.”

CW 585 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord

CW 585 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord

This coming Sunday is the Day of Pentecost. Along with Christmas and Easter, it is one of the great festivals of the Church Year. These three festivals focus on the three persons of our Triune God. Christmas is a celebration of the Father who sent his Son into the world. Easter is a celebration of the Son who with his resurrection from the dead proved he had won salvation for us. Pentecost is the festival of the Holy Spirit who gives us faith in what Christ has accomplished for us.

Pentecost was originally a harvest festival in Old Testament times that came 50 days after the Passover observance. Today, we mark a different harvest when we mark Pentecost. We celebrate the harvest of souls by the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way as he worked through Jesus’ apostles, enabling them to speak in the various languages of the people gathered in Jerusalem for the Pentecost festival. This hymn encourages the Holy Spirit to continue to his harvest today.

Verse 1: Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord! May all your graces be outpoured on each believer’s mind and heart; your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of your light you gather and in faith unite your Church from ev’ry land and tongue: this to your praise, O Lord our God, be sung. Alleluia, alleluia!

While we commonly refer to the third person of the Triune God as Holy Spirit, this hymn uses the title that was formerly used, Holy Ghost. This hymn is credited to Martin Luther. While he wrote verses 2 and 3, the first verse is a rework of an antiphon – originally composed in Latin – for the vigil of Pentecost, which took place the evening before Pentecost. The antiphon is roughly translated: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle the fire of your love in them.”

“Come, Holy Spirit” was certainly on the hearts and minds of the apostles on Pentecost. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised that he would send his Holy Spirit to them. And now, ten days after Jesus gave that promise, he delivered in a big way. By allowing the apostles to speak in different languages, 3000 souls were harvested that day into God’s kingdom.

The Holy Spirit continues that harvest today as he gathers groups of saints together in local congregations throughout the country and throughout the world. Through faith, you and I are a part of that harvest too. And what does the Holy Spirit do? He pours out his “graces,” his gifts. He gives us his Means of Grace, the gospel in Word and Sacraments through which he gives us forgiveness, life, and salvation. May God be praised!

Verse 2: Come, holy Light, guide divine, and cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright and call him Father with delight. From ev’ry error keep us free; let none

but Christ our master be that we in living faith abide, in him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia!

If you were dropped into the middle of a national park, how would you see your way through it? At the very least you’d need a map, but even better would be a guide who knows his way around. The Holy Spirit is our guide through this life. He causes Jesus, the Word of life, to shine in our lives so that we come to understand all Jesus has done to save us. The Spirit teaches all about our heavenly Father so that we are delighted to follow his lead. And even when we stray from him, he brings us back to God and keeps us with Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Verse 3: Come, holy Fire, comfort true, grant us the will your work to do and in your service to abide; let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by your pow’r prepare each heart, and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, through life and death to you, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia, alleluia!

Think about why “holy Fire” is the name given to the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of the tongues of fire that rested on the disciples that first Pentecost. It is the fire of the Holy Spirit that keeps the fire of faith lit in our hearts. When trials enter our lives, Satan attempts to use them to get us to turn away from God and instead serve him. But we are encouraged to team up with the Holy Spirit during these times. No matter what we go through on this earth, we are to rely only on the strength that comes to us through the Holy Spirit.

Paul reminds us: “Through the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:14) What is that good deposit? The Holy Spirit deposited in your heart the seed of faith in Jesus your Savior. Every time you hear or read the Word of God, the Spirit makes that deposited seed grow. That’s a deposit that not only yields a benefit during our lifetime, but even in death when our Lord welcomes us into his heavenly kingdom.

It is no wonder we set aside a festival which especially honors the Holy Spirit! May it be a regular prayer of each Christian heart to say or sing: Come, Holy Spirit!

CW 728 This Is My Will

CW 728 – This is My Will

The sixth Sunday in Easter has one clearly defined theme that is noticeable the second you start reading the gospel lesson (John 15:9-17): love! Jesus uses that word nine times in just eight verses! So it’s with good reason that we spend an entire Sunday thinking about love.

The entirety of God’s Word can be summed up in the command to love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39) God’s people are defined by their love, which Paul identifies as the greatest virtue in the church. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

So we know love is important. But how are we supposed to show that love? The hymn for this week is a musical version of Jesus’ words from John 15. In this hymn, the hymn writer helps us understand how we show love to one another.

Verse 1: This is my will, my one command, that love should dwell among you all. This is my will, that you should love as I have shown that I love you.

Often times people will talk about a “bucket list.” That’s a list of things people want to do before they “kick the bucket,” that is, to die. Maybe it’ll be something like see the Grand Canyon, or swim with dolphins, or go skydiving. Jesus didn’t really have a “bucket list” when he died. It was more of a single wish or a request for his followers. And his request wasn’t as big or grand as skydiving or the Grand Canyon. Quite the contrary, it was something simple and easy for anyone and everyone to do. The wish was that his followers love one another. The way Jesus describes this is important too! By loving one another, we aren’t supposed to just love every now and then. Instead, love is supposed to dwell among us. This means that our love for one another doesn’t come and go, but it stays for good. But what does that love look like? How are we supposed to do that? Verse 2 explains what Jesus means by that.

Verse 2: No greater love can be than this: To choose to die to save one’s friends. You are my friends if you obey what I command that you should do.

What’s the difference between an acquaintance and a friend? Generally, an acquaintance is someone we know of and maybe have spoken to a few times, but that’s it. A friend is much more. A friend is someone you have a bond with. They’re someone that you know you can go to if you need something and they’ll help you. We can all think of people we have formed close friendships with, but would you be willing to die for that friend? It’s the ultimate test of one’s friendship, and thankfully most of the time we aren’t asked to die for our friends. But that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. Jesus willingly laid down his life for his friends by going to the cross so that they might be with him forever. Talk about dedication! But that begs the question, then: who are Jesus' friends? Jesus gives the answer: those who listen to him and show that same love and dedication to others! Jesus doesn’t expect his friends to die for him, he’s done that already. All he asks is that his friends listen to him. It doesn’t have to be difficult. By looking at how Jesus cares for us, it’s a natural response to want to respect him and listen to him.

Verse 3: I call you now no longer slaves; no slave knows all his master does. I call you friends, for all I hear my Father say you hear from me.

It’s been said before “There are no secrets between true friends.” Part of having a strong friendship is confiding your secrets to one another. By doing this, we express our trust in our friends and look to them for help in carrying our burdens. As our true friend, Jesus doesn’t have any secrets he keeps from us. Instead, Jesus has revealed to us his will, his word, and his plans for our future. Before Jesus came, we were enslaved to our sinful natures. We didn’t have the freedom to go before God or for God to speak so freely to us. We didn’t have the hope of the future. Jesus changed that. Through his teaching, Jesus told us what God was really like. He showed how much God cared for us and what he was willing to sacrifice his only son to have us back not as slaves, but as friends. Through his death, Jesus showed us that God is love. This amazing truth shows us what love is really like. No secrets. No barriers. Just a wonderful friendship between God and humans.

Verse 4: You chose not me, but I chose you, that you should go and bear much fruit. I chose you out that you in me should bear much fruit that will abide.

The way most friendships work, you choose who your friends are. As two people grow closer to each other, generally what will happen is the two will naturally start choosing to spend more time with that person, to joke around with them, and to do things with them. It’s not like you can become someone’s friend against your will. It’s a natural choice that happens as you get to know someone. Our friendship with Jesus was the exception to that rule. We didn’t choose to love Jesus or to be friends with him. We didn’t choose to be his followers or his disciples. Instead, he chose us! The Holy Spirit worked faith in our hearts through our baptisms and through God’s word to call us to be Jesus’ friends. Out of all the people in the world, Jesus decided that he wanted us to be his friends! And as his friends, Jesus has a very important job for us: to go out and show others what true friendship and true love looks like. By bearing fruits of faith, we show others what it means to be a friend of Jesus.

Verse 5: All that you ask my Father dear for my name’s sake you shall receive. This is my will, my one command, that love should dwell in each, in all.

Part of showing love to our friends is we do things for them when they ask. If they ask us to help them with something, we go and help. When they ask for advice about something, we give it. And often times, we do this without expecting anything in return. That’s part of being a good friend and showing love to them. As our friend, Jesus promises to do just that. Jesus will freely give and expect nothing in return. Now that doesn’t mean that if we ask Jesus for a million dollars or a brand new car or the newest phone that he’ll give it to us. Jesus promises that what we ask “for his name’s sake” he will give. If we ask for help through times of trouble in our lives, he’ll give it, because that’s what friends do. If we ask him to help us show love to others he will, because that’s what friends do. Jesus does this all because he loves us. He loved us so much he died for us. And Jesus’ love doesn’t just end at the cross. It keeps on giving all the days of our lives. That love that he gives us is what empowers and enables us to show that same love to others. How are we supposed to do Jesus' will? How are we supposed to show love? By letting him be our friend and loving us first

In his first letter, the apostle John writes “We love because he [God] first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Jesus came to this world and showed us what true love looks like. It’s a cross! On that cross, Jesus, our friend, gave his life so that we might live. And it’s on that cross that Jesus shows us what true love is: to serve others! Jesus is a lifelong friend who promised to help us and give us all that we need to love and serve others. May he always help us to show love to not just our friends, but to all who need to feel his love. Amen.

CW 446 Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

CW 446: Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense 

The Seventh Sunday of Easter focuses on the victory we have in Jesus Christ. The Gospel text from John is a portion of Jesus’s High Priestly prayer. Jesus prayed this on Holy Thursday. In this prayer, Jesus reminds us that he has not lost any of those who belong to him. As Christians, we know that we will face many trials and temptations in this life. We will be hard-pressed on every side. Even though we are surrounded by many enemies our victory is assured. 

This is the hope and confidence we have in our resurrected Lord. Jesus has destroyed the power of sin, death, and hell. Even though we will face pain and even death in this life our victory is guaranteed. We know with absolute confidence the eternal joy of heaven that has been prepared for us. Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense reminds us of this glorious victory we have in Christ our Lord. 

 Verse 1: Jesus Christ, my sure defense and my Savior, now is living! Knowing this, my confidence rests upon the hope he’s giving, though the night of death be fraught still with many’ an anxious thought. 

Death is something that fills us with dread and fear. It is the ultimate consequence of sin. As Christians, we do not need to fear the sting of death because we know it is not the end of life, but the beginning of our eternal life with the Lord. The resurrection of our Lord assures us of our victory. Our hope is built on the solid foundation of Christ. This hope is more than just wishful thinking. Our hope is sure and absolute certainty that Christ has defeated all our enemies. He has shattered the gates of hell and removed the sting of death. 

Question: How does the hope of faith differ from the way we usually talk about hope? 

 Verse 2: Jesus, my Redeemer, lives; I, too, unto life shall waken. Endless joy my Savior gives; shall my courage then be shaken? Shall I fear, or could the head rise and leave his members dead? 

Jesus is our Redeemer. He paid the price that we could never pay and bought us out of the slavery of sin. Because Jesus rose victorious from the grave and defeated the power of death, we know that we too will rise. The writer of this hymn reminds us that through our baptism we are intimately connected to Christ. He is the head, and we are the body. Just as the head could not leave the members of his body behind so Christ will not leave us behind but will raise us to the eternity of glory that has been prepared for us. 

 Question: What does it mean to be a member of the body of Christ? 

 Verse 3: No, too closely am I bound unto him by hope forever; faith’s strong hand the rock has found, grasped it, and will leave it never. Even death now cannot part from its Lord the trusting heart. 

We are intimately connected to our Savior. The Bible describes our close relationship in many different ways: Christ is the head and we are the body, Christ is a husband, and we are the bride, Christ is the foundation, and we are the building. All of these pictures show the intimate relationship we have with our Savior. Christ loved us so much that he was willing to die to save us. Because of this close relationship, we are also connected to the resurrection of our Savior. As he rose from the dead we too will rise from the dead. Christ has promised that when we die, we will join him in the glory of heaven. 

 Question: What is the rock-solid foundation of our faith? 

 Verse 4: I am flesh and must return unto dust, whence I am taken; but by faith I now discern that from death I shall awaken with my Savior to abide in his glory, at his side. 

Death is the inevitable reality for all people. When sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden death came with it. As mortal beings, we will die. Our bodies eventually will decay and return to dust. We remember that God formed Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. In the same way on the Last Day, God will raise the bodies of all the dead. Those who believe in Jesus will be given glorified bodies that will be free from all sin, sorrow, and pain. Our Lord will gather us to his side and take us into his glorious and eternal kingdom. 

 Question: Why do Christians sometimes refer to death as “falling asleep?” 

 Verse 5: Glorified, I shall anew with this flesh then be enshrouded; in this body I shall view God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded; in this flesh I then shall see Jesus Christ eternally. 

This is the hope and confidence we have through faith in Christ Jesus. We know that on the Last Day, we will be raised from the dead. The writer of this hymn references the beautiful words of Job 19, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the end of time he will stand over the dust. Then, even after my skin has been destroyed, nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God. I myself will see him. My own eyes will see him, and not as a stranger.” We will be raised from the dead and we will see the face of the Lord. Our joy and happiness in heaven will be never-ending. We will dwell in the eternal presence of our God. Our victory is assured. 

Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense is a beautiful hymn of praise to our resurrected Lord. It reminds us of the certainty of victory that we have in our Savior. Christ has defeated the power of death and hell. We do not need to fear death because we know that as Christians we will awake in the glory of heaven. But that is just the beginning. We also know that on the Last Day Christ will return in glory and raise all the dead. He will then judge the living and the dead. Unbelievers will be sent to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels and believers will be given glorious, resurrected bodies that will dwell in the presence of God for all eternity. 

CW 469 Welcome, Happy Morning

CW 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!”

CW 552 The King of Love My Shepherd Is

CW 552 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday especially because of the appointed Gospel reading from John 10, the Good Shepherd chapter. The appointed psalm for the day is Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd Psalm. This hymn is what is known as a paraphrase. The author, Henry W. Baker, simply restates Psalm 23 in his own words.

With that in mind, we will read the verse of Psalm 23 as is stated in the Bible – the Evangelical Heritage Version or EHV, followed by the corresponding hymn verse, and then we will meditate on it.

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing.

Hymn verse 1: 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 picture of the shepherd is timeless. From David’s time in about 1000 B.C., to the time of Jesus, to today, people know what a shepherd is. It is someone who takes care of sheep. The shepherd, no matter what era of history we are talking about, is responsible for all the needs of the sheep.

The Christian’s shepherd is the LORD. It is Jesus. As the King of love, he is our Good Shepherd. He takes responsibility for all the needs of us, his sheep. He cares for us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. While earthly shepherds sometimes fail in their responsibilities to care for their sheep, our Good Shepherd never fails to take care of us. He addresses every need.

While the Good Shepherd takes care of his flock as a whole, he takes care of each one of us individually. Yes, he takes care of me. The LORD is my Shepherd. Remember the personal relationship you have with him!

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

Hymn verse 2: Where streams of living water flow, my Savior gently leads me, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feeds me.

Food and water are essentials. Sheep need to graze and drink life-sustaining water. Shepherds will ensure their sheep have these things.

The Good Shepherd is no different. He provides you with those things that are necessary to nourish and sustain you. He gives you the life-giving and life-sustaining water of his Word. Psalm 46 reminds you what this water does: “There is a river – its streams bring joy to the city of God.” Joy comes from knowing that you have a Savior who loves you and forgives you, a Savior who lived and died for you.

CW 459 Christ the Lord is Risen Again

CW 459 Christ the Lord is Risen Again

The Season of Easter is a time of joyful celebration. We continue to praise God for the joyous proclamation that Christ has risen from the dead. Many hymns during the Easter season include refrains of hallelujah or alleluia. Both of these words come from the same Hebrew word which means, “Praise Yah!” Yah is a shortened form of God’s name Yahweh.

Christ the Lord is Risen Again reminds us of the joys we have in the resurrection of Christ. Jesus has freed us from the chains of sin and death. He has destroyed the power of the devil and won for us eternal life. We praise God for the joy and peace we now have in Christ our Savior who has risen victorious from the grave. Alleluia!

Verse 1: Christ the Lord is ris’n again; Christ has broken death’s strong chain. Hark, the angels shout for joy, singing evermore on high: Hallelujah!

Death was not supposed to be part of this world. God created this world free from sin and death. But when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin and death into the world. Death is a consequence of sin. Christ paid for the sins of the world by his death on the cross. Jesus offered his perfect life as a sacrifice that freed us from the slavery of sin. By his resurrection, Jesus destroyed the power of death. As his people, we know that we no longer need to fear the sting of death because death has been swallowed up in victory.

Verse 2: He who gave for us his life, who for us endured the strife, is our Paschal Lamb today. We too sing for joy and say: Hallelujah!

On the cross, Jesus offered his perfect life as a sacrifice for our sins. The paschal lamb was the lamb that was sacrificed during the celebration of the Passover. Each year the people of Israel remembered how the angel of the Lord passed over the houses where the doorframes were painted with the blood of the lamb and spared those inside from destruction. Christ is our perfect sacrificial Lamb. He was crucified during the celebration of Passover. We have been covered with his blood and washed clean from all our sins. The perfect blood of Jesus saves us from God’s wrath.

Question: Read the account of the Passover in Exodus. What similarities do you notice between the Passover lamb and Jesus?

Verse 3: He who bore all pain and loss comfortless upon the cross lives in glory now on high, pleads for us, and hears our cry: Hallelujah!

Jesus endured unspeakable torment on the cross. He was beaten and had a crown of thorns thrust on his head. He was humiliated and flogged. He was nailed to the cross for our sins. But more than all of that Christ endured all the torments of hell that our sins deserved. When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me,” he was separated from his heavenly Father because he became sin in our place. Hell is separation from God and Christ endured that agony for us. Christ is our great High Priest. He offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to pay for all of our sins and he now hears our prayers and brings our requests before God.

Question: What does it mean that Jesus intercedes for us?

Verse 4: He whose path no records tell has descended into hell; he the strong man armed has bound and in highest heav’n is crowned. Hallelujah!

On Easter morning Jesus rose from the dead. He then descended into hell. He did not go there to suffer or endure more punishment for our sins. Jesus descended into hell with all his glory, might, and majesty to declare his complete and total victory over Satan. The descent into hell was like a victory lap. Christ had crushed the head of the old evil Serpent and destroyed the power of death and hell. Satan no longer has any power to accuse us of our sins because we have been declared not guilty by the blood of Christ. Our risen Lord has ascended into the highest heavens and is now ruling as our great and glorious eternal King.

Question: What does it mean that the strong man, Satan, is bound?

Verse 5: He who slumbered in the grave is exalted now to save; now through Christendom it rings that the Lamb is King of kings. Hallelujah!

As Christians, we often refer to death as falling asleep. We do this because we know that death is not the end of our life, it is just the beginning. When we die it is like we fall asleep and then awaken in the glory of life in heaven. But even that is just the beginning. Jesus has given us that certain promise that on the Last Day, he will return and raise us from the dead. We will then be given glorious new resurrected bodies, and we will live for eternity with our God in a new heaven and new earth. This is why the entire kingdom of Christ in this world, the church, rejoices that our glorious Savior is the King of kings.

Question: Where is the kingdom of Christ located?

Verse 6: Now he bids us tell abroad how the lost may be restored, how the penitent forgiv’n, how we, too, may enter heav’n. Hallelujah!

The final verse of our hymn encourages us to share the message of Easter with others. We have a joyous message to share. Our sins have been forgiven by grace alone that is ours through faith alone in Christ alone. We don’t have to do anything to earn or deserve forgiveness for our sins. Christ has done it all for us on the cross. We can share this joy with others. We can tell them that God loves them and forgives them. We can tell them that they do not need to fear death because Christ has conquered death for us. What joy we have to know that through Jesus we too will enter the paradise of heaven.

Question: What are some ways you can tell others about Jesus?

Christ the Lord is Risen Again is a beautiful hymn of praise that reminds us of the glorious resurrection of our Lord from the dead. Oh, how we love to praise our God for this great and glorious message. The resurrection of Jesus fills us with peace and comfort because we know that our sins have been paid for in full. We know that an eternal life of happiness is waiting for us in heaven. We know that we no longer need to fear death. We eagerly desire to share this message with others so that they too can have peace in Christ. Hallelujah!

CW 456/457 - O Sons and Daughters of the King

CW 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!

CW 442 - Christ the Lord is Risen Today

The sounds of death are frightening. They can be loud, public sounds of police and fire sirens heading to a huge accident on the freeway. They can also be the quiet and private sounds of a dying person’s slow breaths in the hospice home.

The sounds are all around us. They are unpleasant. Upsetting. Disturbing.

This is the way Jesus’ followers felt as they heard the stone being rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb. Their friend was crucified. Their rabbi had been killed. Their Savior was dead. It was all so final. There was no hope anymore. The only thing the disciples could do was hide from the enemies, so they didn’t end up in the grave, too. The only thing the women could do was prepare Jesus’ corpse for a proper burial.

But Jesus is not dead! The stone has been rolled away! The tomb is empty! Jesus Christ is alive!

The silence of the cemetery is broken. The mourning has turned to rejoicing. The muted praise of Lent is over. The Alleluias have returned with Easter.

Verse one: Christ the Lord is ris’n today; Alleluia! Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia! see the place where he was laid; Alleluia! praise him for the ransom paid. Alleluia!

The angel told the women at the tomb, “Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6). Through his third day resurrection, Jesus has reversed the irreversible. Jesus controls the uncontrollable. We run to the open tomb to see where he was laid. Now we know with confidence that the ransom for our salvation was paid.

Verse two: For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia! sinless in the sinners’ stead. Alleluia! “Christ is ris’n,” today we cry; Alleluia! now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

Scripture repeatedly calls Christ’s followers sheep. It also calls Jesus the sacrificial Lamb. The perfect, sinless Lamb sacrificed himself so we sinful, scared sheep might be saved. Now we no longer have any reason to be afraid of the prowling lion of the devil or his demonic dogs. By his resurrection, Jesus has destroyed the power of the devil. By his resurrection, Jesus has demolished the devil’s ability to keep us afraid of death. Christ promises us, “Because I live, you will live” (John 14:19).

Verse three: Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia! God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia! while, in strange and awe-full strife, Alleluia! met together death and life. Alleluia!

The rolling away of the stone revealing the empty tomb has changed everything. By taking upon himself the curse of sin and the sting of death, the dying process loses its fear for us. Now a little girl can say with all confidence to her Christian mother who is dying of cancer, “I’ll see

you in heaven, Mommy.” Now the family gathering together at the ER after their father’s unexpected heart attack can repeat with Job, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). Now the elderly Christian can repeat with his pastor the words of the twenty-third Psalm with his dying breaths.

Here are sweet words from a man in his 90s: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). You can go gently when you know the resurrected Christ is waiting for you.

Because Jesus Christ is risen today, we have hope on the day we stand at the coffin of a Christian loved one. Because Jesus Christ is risen today and that garden tombstone was rolled away, we have complete confidence when we lay down our head upon our own death bed. This is because Jesus, who appeared as a Victim on the cross proved he is the Victor out of the grave. With his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus has reconciled sinners with God.

Verse four: Christ, who once for sinners bled, Alleluia! now the firstborn from the dead, Alleluia! throned in endless might and pow’r, Alleluia! lives and reigns forevermore. Alleluia!

For the Easter Christian, the sound of the sirens has been replaced with the sound of the angels’ trumpets. The sound of silence has been replaced with the song of the saints. The sound of mourning tears has been replaced with the sound of eternal laughter. For the sound of the rolling stone has reverberated through time and eternity. It not only opened the entrance to the tomb of Jesus, but also opened the gates to God’s heaven. When you hear the rolling stone, you know that the sounds of death have been replaced with the sounds of life.

The sound of our Alleluias have once again returned to our churches. We will sing these triumphant Alleluias this Easter season in God’s house here on earth. One day, we will sing these Alleluias for all eternity there in God’s heavenly house.

CW 817 Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart

CW 817 Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart

When my wife and I were raising our sons, we would routinely tell them “I love you, but Jesus loves you most of all.” As great as a parent’s love is for a child or a child’s love is for a parent, there is no greater love than what Jesus has for us. Jesus’ love for us is evident by what he was willing to do for us. He even died a cruel death on a cross for us.

This hymn is a response to the love of Jesus. The Bible reminds us that we love because he first loved us. Because Jesus loves us most of all, we want to love Jesus most of all.

Verse 1a: 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.

Why would we need cheering up? Life does not always go as we plan. In fact, life can be difficult. It can especially be difficult as a Christian. Because we believe in Jesus, other people may reject us. And that is exactly why we continue to focus our attention on Jesus. There is no one and nothing that can cheer our burdened hearts like Jesus can. People without Jesus know that they are missing something, but they do not know what. If Jesus was not in our lives, we would be missing the one who can cheer our weary souls.

Verse 1b: 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 man in the Bible named Job knew what it meant to have a broken heart. In one day, he lost all his wealth – his animals and the servants who cared for them. That was not the worst of it. That same day, his sons and daughters were dining together when the house they were in collapsed on them and they all died. Job was deeply hurt by this. Yet, he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be blessed.” (Job 1:21) May we learn to model Job’s trust in the Lord. This is not a baseless trust. Jesus spilled his holy precious blood to buy back our souls from eternal condemnation. We can trust everything he tells us in his Word!

Question: What things have you experienced that have shaken your trust in the Lord?

Verse 2a: 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.

Job knew that everything he had, came from the Lord – all his material blessings and all his spiritual blessings. And God is not skimpy with his blessings, especially the blessings for our souls. The hymnwriter echoes that truth by calling the Lord’s grace lavish. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines lavish as “expending or bestowing profusely.” The Lord is constantly giving

gifts of his grace in abundance. May it be our prayer that in response to this lavish grace, we help and serve our neighbor.

Question: In what ways can you help and serve your neighbor? Keep in mind that everyone is your neighbor.

Verse 2b: 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.

When we suffer, it is tempting for us to say something that God does not say. When Job lost his children and possessions, his friends came to him and told him that he must have done something wrong to deserve this. The friends did not know what they were talking about because God allowed Satan to bring this on Job precisely because, as the Bible says: “there was no one like him on the earth, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and turns away from evil.” (Job 1:8) When we are suffering, Satan is also very ready to accuse us and to make us think that God does not care about us. It is then that we need our Lord to strengthen us so that we can patiently bear up under our cross and continue to follow him.

Question: What is the key to preventing you from spreading false doctrine?

Verse 3a: 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.

This verse is often sung at the Service of Darkness (or Tenebrae) on Good Friday when we recount Jesus’ death and burial. It is sung at that time to remind us of our own mortality. Each one of us will face death one day, but we can find comfort in what God’s Word says about it. In Luke 16, Jesus tells a story about a rich man and poor Lazarus. When Lazarus died, his soul was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. Abraham is known as the father of believers. Heaven is where the souls of all believers go when they die. What happens to the body at death? It is Jesus himself who assures us that death is like a peaceful sleep that we will one day wake up from. When will we awake? When Jesus reappears! What a comfort all this is as we bear our cross here on earth.

Verse 3b: 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.

When is Christ coming back? He does not tell us the day or the hour. But we are confident that he will indeed return. When he does, he will raise up all who have died in him and bring them into his presence. Imagine what it will be like to see Jesus! We will want to praise him without end for bringing us there.

Question: When a person dies, people often do not know what to say to their loved ones. Based on this hymn verse (and really the entire hymn), what would you tell them?

This hymn is really a prayer written by a Christian man to our Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the hymn, he pleads that Jesus will pay attention to his prayer. When we are enduring a hardship because we follow Christ, we can turn to Jesus for help. You and I can be confident that whenever we pray to the Lord, he will listen to us. Why can we be so confident? Because Jesus loves us most of all!

CW 324 - O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

CW 324 - O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent has been called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for “rejoice!” During the season of Advent, we focus on the coming of Christ. We think about his coming in the flesh at Christmas and his glorious coming when he returns on the Last Day. Both of these events fill us with joy. We rejoice that our God would take on human flesh to save us and that our Lord will come again to rescue us from this world of sin and sorrow. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You echoes these themes of Advent. We rejoice in our salvation. We marvel that God sent his one and only Son to save us from our sins. Our hearts are filled with the joyful knowledge that our sins and guilt have been washed away. Because of Christ's death, we look forward in joyful anticipation to the great and glorious day of our Lord’s return. Verse 1: O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright? Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart’s delight. O Jesus, let your Word be a lamp to light my way, to show me how to please you, to guide me ev’ry day. Verse one reminds us that, as Christians, we want to be ready to meet our King. We look forward to his return and want our hearts to be prepared to greet him. But how do we prepare our hearts? We cannot make our hearts free from sin; instead, we cling to the promise of God. We cling to the assurance in his Word that our sins have been paid for by the blood of Christ. Because we have been born again through water and the Word, we desire to live lives that please our Lord. Question: What are some ways that we can please God? Verse 2: Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me. Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty. Oh, love beyond all telling that led you to embrace in love, all love excelling, our lost and fallen race! 1 John 4:8 tells us that “God is love.” We see the love of God echoed in the life of Christ. Jesus loved each one of us so much that he came down from heaven and was born of the Virgin Mary. This is the mystery of Christmas that God became man and made his dwelling among us. Jesus loved us so much that he willingly offered his perfect life as a sacrifice to pay for our sins. Jesus endured the shame and agony of the cross for us. He suffered the torments of hell that we deserved and was punished in our place. All this he did because he loved us and wanted to save us from our sins. Question: What does it mean that Jesus “thirsted” for our salvation? Verse 3: Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted, who sit in deepest gloom, who mourn o’er joys departed and tremble at your doom. Despair not; he is near you, he’s standing at the door who best can help and cheer you and bids you weep no more. This world is full of sin and sorrow. We all face times of trial and hardship, like sickness or the loss of a loved one. It can be easy to fall into deep, dark sadness and wonder if God is really watching over us as he promised. This verse reminds us that even on our deepest and gloomiest days, when all seems lost, Jesus is still there right beside us. Jesus understands what it is like to feel pain and sadness. He lived and suffered as one of us. Christ is always there, ready to comfort us with his Word and with his promises. Question: Think of some sections of Scripture that provide comfort to you when you are sad. Verse 4: Sin’s debt, that fearful burden, let not your souls distress; your guilt the Lord will pardon and cover by his grace. He comes, for you procuring the peace of sin forgiv’n, his children thus securing eternal life in heav’n. As Christians, we must daily struggle against the temptations of the devil, the world, and our own sinful natures. Every day, we give in to temptation, sin, and break the Lord’s commandments. Satan loves to accuse and remind us of our sins. We want to burden us with guilt and shame and convince us that God does not love us. This hymn verse reminds us that we do not need to be weighed down by the terrible burden of our sins. Our sins have been completely forgiven by the blood of Christ. We have been washed clean and pure by the blood of Christ. We do not need to be burdened with a load of guilt because we have been covered by God’s amazing grace. This is the joyous message of the Gospel. This is why Christians rejoice. We know we have been forgiven. We know Christ has won us the glorious reward of eternal life with him. Question: Why does Satan want us to doubt God’s grace and mercy? Verse 5: He comes to judge the nations, a terror to his foes, a light of consolation and blessèd hope to those who love the Lord’s appearing. O glorious Sun, now come, send forth your beams most cheering, and guide us safely home. The final verse of this hymn shows the great contrast between believers and unbelievers. As believers, we look forward with joy to the day of the Lord’s return. We do not need to be afraid when Jesus comes again in all his glory to judge the living and the dead because we know we have been forgiven. We have been declared not guilty by the blood of Christ before the Almighty Judge. For unbelievers, the return of Jesus fills them with dread. Deep down, they know that because of their sins, they cannot stand before the throne of God. On the Last Day, their time of grace will be over, and they will be thrown into the lake of fire that was prepared for the devil and all his angels. Question: How can you share the message of salvation with others? O Lord, How Shall I Meet You is a joyous hymn of Advent praise. We rejoice and praise the Lord for our salvation and forgiveness in Christ. We give thanks to God for sending his Son to be born of a woman, born under the law, to free us from our sins. And we look forward in joyful anticipation to the great and glorious day when our Lord will return in all his radiant splendor and take us to our eternal home.

CW 388: Down from the Mount of Glory

CW 388: Down from the Mount of Glory

Two events serve as bookends for the season of Epiphany. At the beginning of Epiphany, we celebrate the beginning of Jesus’s ministry with the Baptism of our Lord, and now at the end, we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord. Down from the Mount of Glory is a hymn that recalls the wonderous and amazing events of the Transfiguration of our Lord. Shortly before the events of Holy Week, Jesus went up on a high mountain with his disciples Peter, James, and John. While they were on this mountain Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of his disciples. Jesus is both true God and true man, but during his time on earth, he did not make full use of his divine powers. At the Transfiguration Jesus revealed his divine nature to his disciples briefly. Peter, James, and John saw the awesome power of the Lord revealed in Christ. The Gospels tell us that the face of Jesus became as bright as the sun and his clothes became whiter than snow. While they were on the mountain Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” These are the same words that God the Father spoke at the baptism of the Lord. The Transfiguration was a powerful revelation of our Lord’s power. It would be a powerful comfort to the disciples during the dark days after the arrest and crucifixion of Christ. As we begin the season of Lent the Transfiguration reminds us that only the death of God on the cross could make full payment for the sins of the world. The Transfiguration assures that Jesus is true God and that all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to him. Verse 1: 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. Verse 1 of our hymn asks us to recall the wonderous story of the Transfiguration. As we think about the marvelous details of this event, we remember the great act of love that Jesus performed on our behalf. Jesus was true God from eternity. He had all the power and majesty of God, and yet for a time he chose to willingly set aside that power to live as a human being. The Creator became the creature. Christ clothed himself with human flesh so that he could suffer and die in our place. When we think about the love that our Savior showed us, we are moved to live our lives according to his will. Question: What are some ways that you can honor Jesus in your life? Verse 2: 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. Verse 2 of our hymn reminds us that even as Christ lived as a lowly human, he was still true God. We worship Jesus because he is a member of the Trinity. We worship one God who is three Persons and three Persons who are one God. This is a profound mystery that is beyond our ability to understand. The two natures of Christ, that he is true God and true man, are also beyond our ability to understand. These are the truths that Scripture teaches us, so we accept them by faith. Scripture is clear that Jesus needed to be true God and true man to save us. Jesus was true man so he could place himself under the law for us and die for us. He was true God so he could live a life free from sins and by the death of God pay for the sins of the whole world. Question: Why is the holiness of God too bright for human eyes? Verse 3: 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. Verse 3 reminds us of the amazing truth that Christ endured all his humiliation and suffering for us willingly. When we speak of the humiliation of Christ, we mean both the humiliation he endured as he was tortured and suffered on the cross and the humiliation of setting aside the full use of his divine power for a time. Think of the mystery of the almighty God living as a tiny baby or of the Creator of the universe feeling pain and fatigue. All of these things Christ endured willingly because of his great love for us. Christ did all this in perfect obedience to the will of the Father. Jesus knew precisely what was going to happen to him that first Holy Week. He knew he would be flogged and beaten, he knew that he would be nailed to a cross, and he knew that he would endure the torments of hell and be forsaken by the Father. Yet he endured all this willingly so that by his perfect sacrifice the world could be reconciled to God. Question: What does it mean that we cannot know the sufferings that Christ endured? Verse 4: 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. In verse 4 the hymn writer contrasts the Mount of Transfiguration and the Mount of the Crucifixion. Transfiguration shows the awesome glory and majesty of our Lord, while Calvary shows us the ultimate agony and shame that our Lord endured. Christ died to save us. This is why Jesus came to the world. Christ had a single purpose. He came to fulfill the promise that God had made to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. By his death and resurrection, Christ crushed the head of Satan and paid for the sins of the entire world. He destroyed the power of sin, death, and hell and set God’s people free. Question: Why did God need to die on the cross? Verse 5: 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. Our hymn this week emphasizes the unique and double glory that belongs to Christ alone. Jesus is true God and true man. The glory of his divine nature was revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration. It assured his disciples and assured us that Jesus is indeed the holy Son of God. He came to this world to suffer and die to set all people free from the horrors of sin and death. By faith in Christ, these glorious blessings become ours. By the death of Christ, we have been redeemed. We have been purchased by the holy, precious blood of Christ. All of our sins have been washed away. Our guilt has been paid for. Praise be to God for our glorious Redeemer who died to save us! Question: Why do we say that Jesus has double glory? Down from the Mount of Glory is a beautiful hymn that reminds us of the glory of our Savior. We are humbled when we consider how Christ in his great love for us set aside the full use of his divine power for a time so that he could be tempted in every way that we are and yet be without sin. We see glimpses of the divine nature of Christ when he healed the sick, calmed the storm, and performed other miracles. We see a greater glimpse on the Mount of Transfiguration. We will see the full revelation of our Savior’s power when he returns on the last day in all his glory to judge the living and the dead. We look forward to that great and glorious day with joyful anticipation as we await the coming of our Savior.