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April 25, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 5
                             John 20:8-10
                              04/25/2025


        8    Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb
             first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
        9    for as yet they did not understand the Scripture,
             that he must rise from the dead.
        10   Then the disciples went back to their homes.
             (ESV)

        The eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, of the
   early Church, do not always put the disciples in the best of
   light.  Indeed, they are frequently shown to be slow to
   understand and slow to act.  This certainly is true of the
   written events of Easter morning.

        After Mary Magdalene had seen the tomb, that the stone had
   been rolled away, she quickly went to tell Peter and John.  They,
   in turn, ran to the tomb.  John looked in and saw the empty tomb,
   while Peter entered and looked at the burial cloths.

        Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb
        first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as
        yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must
        rise from the dead.  Then the disciples went back to
        their homes.


        Did John, at this point, believe that Jesus had risen from
   the dead?  So it seems, but that belief was not very strong.
   Only after they had learned from the Scriptures, from the Old
   Testament prophecies about the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior,
   did they understand what they had actually witnessed.

        Jesus' resurrection is a necessary part of our salvation
   from sin and death.  His death paid the price of our sin.  His
   resurrection proves His power over death, which says that we also
   shall rise on the last day.

        That is the message of hope which we proclaim each Sunday
   morning at 9:00 a.m.  at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Please join
   us, even if this coming Sunday is not the day of Easter, to hear
   more of Christ's work to redeem you, to give to you life
   everlasting.

        Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Amen.

April 24, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 4
                              John 20:6-7
                              04/24/2025


        6    Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went
             into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying
             there,
        7    and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head,
             not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a
             place by itself.  (ESV)

        Saint John was a witness of the open tomb on Easter Sunday.
   He and Saint Peter ran to the tomb having heard the report from
   Mary Magdalene.  Although John arrived before Peter, being the
   faster of the two, he did not actually enter the tomb.  He saw
   the linen burial shroud and the place where Jesus' body had been
   lying, but he hesitated.

        Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the
        tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face
        cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with
        the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.


        Simon Peter, being more brash, quickly entered the tomb to
   investigate.  Indeed the linen cloths were carefully placed, as
   if the one who had removed the cloths from the body had plenty of
   time to act undisturbed.  The body was not stolen, that seemed
   certain.

        What had happened?  John's eyewitness account does not
   mention the remains of the guard's encampment, or even where the
   stone was placed near the tomb.  The important part, the linens
   and their positions in the tomb were proof positive that the
   missing Jesus was not because of robbers.

        Is this the proof that Jesus is alive?  Not yet, but the
   evidence is pointing to His resurrection from the dead.  Only
   later that evening will Peter and John and most of the disciples
   see the risen Christ for the first time.

        Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Amen.

April 23, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 3
                              John 20:3-5
                              04/23/2025


        3    So Peter went out with the other disciple, and
             they were going toward the tomb.
        4    Both of them were running together, but the other
             disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
        5    And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths
             lying there, but he did not go in.  (ESV)

        From the first Easter, the Christian Church has depended on
   the eyewitnesss accounts of the disciples and faithful women who
   first saw the empty tomb.  The witnesses of the resurrection,
   writing to various audiences, each experienced the events
   differently.  Mary Magdelene and the women expected the tomb to
   be sealed with the large stone over the door.  Peter and John
   expected the tomb to be open.  Each author wrote of their
   experiences, of their discoveries, proving that the Gospel
   accounts are accurate histories of the events of that morning.

        So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they
        were going toward the tomb.  Both of them were running
        together, but the other disciple outran Peter and
        reached the tomb first.  And stooping to look in, he
        saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.


        These details enhance the credibility of the witnesses.
   Maybe it doesn't matter to our salvation who was the faster
   runner, but knowing that John beat Peter to the tomb helps us
   understand the events.  John looked in but did not enter.  He saw
   the linen shroud and the face covering lying in the tomb.  Had
   Jesus's body been stolen, certainly the robbers would have taken
   the expensive shroud, even if blood stained, to maximize their
   profits.

        John saw that Mary Magdalene's report was true, the stone
   was removed from the door and the tomb no longer held Jesus'
   body.  He couldn't explain what he saw, but knew that Mary's
   account was accurate.  He also had no idea where Jesus was, what
   happened to His remains.

        Where do we look for Jesus?  Not in the tomb, for the tomb
   is empty.  We look for Him where He promises to be found, in the
   inspired and perfect Word of God and in the sacraments He gave
   the Church.  Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!
   Amen.

April 22, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 2
                              John 20:1-2
                              04/22/2025


        1    Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene
             came to the tomb early, while it was still dark,
             and saw that the stone had been taken away from
             the tomb.
        2    So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other
             disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to
             them, ``They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,
             and we do not know where they have laid him.''
             (ESV)

        Without Easter, without Jesus physically rising from the
   dead, the Christian Church has no reason for existence.  Only
   because the Church can point to the empty tomb, only because
   Jesus lives and reigns through all eternity, can the Church bring
   the hope of the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting to those
   who are terrified by their transgressions.

        Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to
        the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that
        the stone had been taken away from the tomb.  So she
        ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the
        one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ``They have
        taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know
        where they have laid him.''


        Mary Magdalene and the other women who went to Jesus' tomb
   to properly prepare Him for burial had a real problem.  On Friday
   evening, minutes before the beginning of the Sabbath, they had
   watched as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus sealed the door of
   the tomb with a large rock.  Now the tomb was open, and they were
   afraid of what they would find.

        Mary Magdalene knew the best people to inform were the
   leaders of the disciples, Peter and John.  She could do nothing,
   but she thought these two followers of Jesus might have an idea
   of what had happened.

        When we have questions, when we are perplexed by the changes
   and chances of this world, do we also turn to the disciples?  Do
   we turn to the clear truth of God's Word?  Can we trust that the
   tomb is indeed empty, and Jesus lives now and forever?

        Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Amen.

April 21, 2025

Broadcast

                            Easter - Part 1
                               John 20:1
                              04/20/2025


        1    Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene
             came to the tomb early, while it was still dark,
             and saw that the stone had been taken away from
             the tomb.  (ESV)

        Easter Sunday is not about colored eggs or chocolate rabbits
   or new spring dresses and finery.  Easter Sunday is about Jesus
   Christ risen from the dead.  This is not a spiritual
   resurrection, as some may claim, or the idea of renewal as others
   may teach.  Jesus rose from the dead, physically, never to die
   again.

        Oh, to be certain, He was dead on Good Friday.  The soldier
   who pierced His heart with a spear made certain that Jesus was no
   longer alive.  Even if He had fainted or was in a coma, as one
   theory says, that spear to the heart would have been fatal.  He
   was dead when Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus placed His body
   in the tomb.

        Credible eyewitnesses saw the risen Christ Jesus.  They saw
   the empty tomb.  They spoke with Jesus.  They ate with Jesus.
   They walked with Jesus.  Over 500 people saw and heard Him after
   the resurrection.

        On that Sunday morning, however, no one expected the empty
   tomb.  ``Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to
   the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone
   had been taken away from the tomb.''  Saint John is telling the
   story of Mary Magdalene, not the other women who went with her to
   wash Jesus' body and ensure He was properly prepared for burial.
   Mary Magdalene and the other women knew the tomb was covered with
   a large stone, but probably did not know about the soldiers sent
   by Pilate to guard the tomb at the request of the chief priests
   and the rulers of the Temple.

        This week we will look at John's account of this most
   important event in history.

        Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Amen.

April 18, 2025

Broadcast

                        Holy Week - Good Friday
                              John 19:30
                              04/18/2025


        30   When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said,
             ``It is finished,'' and he bowed his head and gave
             up his spirit.  (ESV)

        Today is the day of the greatest paradox the world has seen.
   God, who displayed the fullness of His glory in creating the
   heavens and the earth, who caused the children of Israel to walk
   across the Red Sea on dry ground, who promised a Redeemer to pay
   the price of our sin, died the death of the lowest criminal.

        This evening at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity we will ponder the
   account of this day as written by Saint John, the Evangelist.  We
   will hear the words of mockery from the crowds, and the words of
   love from our Savior.  Once again we will hear of the failure of
   justice, the verdict rendered by Pilate, even as he knew Jesus
   was innocent.  Yet Pilate, in a final act of defiance, proclaimed
   the truth, saying, ``Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.''[1]

        During the three hours of unnatural darkness, Jesus hung on
   the cross bearing the taunts of the crowd, even as He bore the
   pain of the crucifixion.  He forgave His executioners, assured
   one of the malefactors crucified with Him, and cared for His
   mother.

        Finally, in the darkness, He said, ``I thirst.''  ``When
   Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, `It is finished,' and
   he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.''

        The redemption of all people was finished, then and for all
   time.  Jesus' death paid the price of your sin and mine.  This
   salvation stands completed forever and can never be removed.  For
   God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son.

        May our Lord grant that we hear of His love, trust in Christ
   Jesus as our Redeemer, and receive the gift of everlasting life.
   Amen.
   ____________________

   1. John 19:19

April 17, 2025

Broadcast

                      Holy Week - Maundy Thursday
                           Matthew 26:26-29
                              04/17/2025


        26   Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and
             after blessing it broke it and gave it to the
             disciples, and said, ``Take, eat; this is my
             body.''
        27   And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he
             gave it to them, saying, ``Drink of it, all of
             you,
        18   for this is my blood of the covenant, which is
             poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
        29   I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of
             the vine until that day when I drink it new with
             you in my Father's kingdom.''  (ESV)

        This evening at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, you
   have the opportunity to hear some of the events of the Thursday
   of Holy Week.  Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover,
   during which Jesus gave the Church the Lord's Supper.
        Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after
        blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and
        said, ``Take, eat; this is my body.''  And he took a
        cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them,
        saying, ``Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood
        of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the
        forgiveness of sins.  I tell you I will not drink again
        of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink
        it new with you in my Father's kingdom.''


        After supper, while Jesus was praying in the Garden of
   Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot led a group sent by the chief priests
   and elders to arrest Jesus.  The remaining disciples scattered in
   fear.

        Sometime during the night, Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Our
   Lord endured several mock trials before the chief priests, the
   Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod.  He remained silent.

        Jesus endured the scourging, the humiliation, the lies, the
   betrayal, the denial, and the abandonment as foretold by the
   prophets.  Silently, He accepted the burden of guilt to pay the
   price of our sins, to redeem us from eternal death, and to give
   us the gift of life.

        May our Lord give us faith to hold to Him, to recognize that
   in His suffering He has given us the fullness of God's grace.
   Amen.

April 16, 2025

Broadcast

                      Holy Week - Holy Wednesday
                           Matthew 22:17-21
                              04/16/2025


        17   ``Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to
             pay taxes to Caesar, or not?''
        18   But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ``Why put
             me to the test, you hypocrites?
        19   Show me the coin for the tax.'' And they brought
             him a denarius.
        20   And Jesus said to them, ``Whose likeness and
             inscription is this?''
        21   They said, ``Caesar's.'' Then he said to them,
             ``Therefore render to Caesar the things that are
             Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.''
             (ESV)

        Although the Gospels are silent about the activities of
   Jesus and His disciples on Wednesday of Holy Week, the rulers of
   the Temple were still upset over Him avoiding their verbal traps.
   Their verbal contest simply added to the desire of the chief
   priests to put Jesus to death.  Judas, the one who betrayed
   Jesus, may have made his deal with the chief priests either on
   Wednesday or Thursday.

        One of the questions asked by the Pharisees in an attempt to
   discredit Jesus concerned taxes paid to Rome.  If Jesus said,
   ``Pay taxes,'' He could be considered a traitor to the Jewish
   people.  If Jesus said, ``Don't pay taxes,'' He could be accused
   of usurping the Roman authority.

        ``Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay
        taxes to Caesar, or not?''  But Jesus, aware of their
        malice, said, ``Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?
        Show me the coin for the tax.'' And they brought him a
        denarius.  And Jesus said to them, ``Whose likeness and
        inscription is this?''  They said, ``Caesar's.'' Then
        he said to them, ``Therefore render to Caesar the
        things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that
        are God's.''


        Other groups tried different questions to besmirch Jesus'
   reputation in the sight of the people.  Each group failed.  Jesus
   clearly proclaimed the truth of God's Word.  Therefore Matthew
   recorded, ``Nor from that day did anyone dare to ask Him any more
   questions.[1]

        May the truth of God's Word, may the truth of Jesus'
   teaching, continue to guide us as we hold to Him in faith.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Matthew 22:46

April 15, 2025

Broadcast

                       Holy Week - Holy Tuesday
                            Matthew 24:1-2
                              04/15/2025


        1    Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his
             disciples came to point out to him the buildings
             of the temple.
        2    But he answered them, ``You see all these, do you
             not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left
             here one stone upon another that will not be
             thrown down.''  (ESV)

        In the days following Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, He and
   His disciples spent many hours in the Temple.  On Monday Jesus
   drove the money-changers out of the Temple, saying, ``It is
   written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you
   make it a den of robbers'''[1]

        On Tuesday, Jesus again was teaching in the Temple, even as
   the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees were trying to catch
   Him in a contest of words.  Time and again these rulers asked
   impossible questions which had no correct answer, but Jesus
   avoided the verbal traps.

        Matthew recorded:
        Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his
        disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the
        temple.  But he answered them, ``You see all these, do
        you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left
        here one stone upon another that will not be thrown
        down.''


        There, while resting on the Mount of Olives, Jesus spoke of
   the destruction of Jerusalem, which happened in 70 A.D.  He also
   told of the signs of the end times, signs which certainly seem to
   be coming true even today.  However, Jesus warned the disciples:
   ``But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the
   angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.''[2]

        May our Lord find us ready, believing the words He spoke to
   His disciples, as we await for His return.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Matthew 21:13 (ESV)

   2. Matthew 24:36 (ESV)

April 14, 2025

Broadcast

                        Holy Week - Palm Sunday
                            Matthew 21:7-9
                              04/14/2025


        7    They brought the donkey and the colt and put on
             them their cloaks, and he sat on them.
        8    Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
             and others cut branches from the trees and spread
             them on the road.
        9    And the crowds that went before him and that
             followed him were shouting, ``Hosanna to the Son
             of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of
             the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!''  (ESV)

        What started in early December, the celebration of the
   coming of Jesus Christ to redeem each person from sin, death, and
   the power of the devil, comes to an end this week.  The Church
   traditionally hears of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on the First
   Sunday in Advent.  Yesterday, the last Sunday in Lent, our
   processional Gospel was the account of our Lord's triumphant
   entry.

        Matthew recorded that Jesus asked two disciples to obtain a
   young donkey from the town of Bethphage.
        They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them
        their cloaks, and he sat on them.  Most of the crowd
        spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut
        branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
        And the crowds that went before him and that followed
        him were shouting, ``Hosanna to the Son of David!
        Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
        Hosanna in the highest!''


        The crowds acknowledged Jesus as the ``Son of David,'' a
   title for the promised Messiah.  They prayed to Him, ``Save us,
   we pray, O LORD!  O LORD, we pray, give us success!''[1] the
   words of the Psalmist.  ``Hosanna!''

        Jesus, who wept over Jerusalem[2] while riding into the
   city, came to fulfill that prayer.  Although He would be rejected
   by the Chief Priests, the scribes, and Pharisees and the rulers
   of the Temple, Christ desired that they also come to the
   knowledge of the truth.

        May our Lord bless you this Holy Week as we follow Jesus
   during the last week before His crucifixion.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Psalm 118:25 (ESV)

   2. See Luke 19:28-44